MXenes in Cancer Nanotheranostics

Abstract

MXenes encompass attractive properties such as a large surface area, unique chemical structures, stability, elastic mechanical strength, excellent electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and ease of surface functionalization/modifications, which make them one of the broadly explored two-dimensional materials in the world. MXene-based micro- and nanocomposites/systems with special optical, mechanical, electronic, and excellent targeting/selectivity features have been explored for cancer nanotheranostics. These materials exhibit great diagnostic and therapeutic potential and offer opportunities for cancer photoacoustic imaging along with photodynamic and photothermal therapy. They can be applied to targeted anticancer drug delivery while being deployed for the imaging/diagnosis of tumors/cancers and malignancies. MXene-based systems functionalized with suitable biocompatible or bioactive agents have suitable cellular uptake features with transferring potential from vascular endothelial cells and specific localization, high stability, and auto-fluorescence benefits at different emission-excitation wavelengths, permitting post-transport examination and tracking. The surface engineering of MXenes can improve their biocompatibility, targeting, bioavailability, and biodegradability along with their optical, mechanical, and electrochemical features to develop multifunctional systems with cancer theranostic applications. However, challenges still persist in terms of their environmentally benign fabrication, up-scalability, functionality improvement, optimization conditions, surface functionalization, biocompatibility, biodegradability, clinical translational studies, and pharmacokinetics. This manuscript delineates the recent advancements, opportunities, and important challenges pertaining to the cancer nanotheranostic potential of MXenes and their derivatives.

Keywords: MXene-based composites; MXenes; cancer diagnostics; cancer therapeutics; nanotheranostics.

Figure 1

MXenes with cancer nanotheranostic applications.

Figure 2

(A,B) The preparative process of MXene nanosheets including hydrogen fluoride (HF) etching and sonication and their surface functionalization/modification using MnO_x and soybean phospholipid (SP). (C) MXene-based nanocomposites with photoacoustic (PA), MR, and CT imaging capabilities combined with photothermal effects for tumor ablation. Adapted from Reference [60] with permission. Copyright: 2017, American Chemical Society.

Figure 3

The preparative process of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-modified W₁.₃₃C i-MXene with high photothermal conversion efficacy for theranostic applications (multimodal imaging and photothermal therapy). CT: computed tomography; PTT: photothermal therapy; and PAI: photoacoustic imaging. Adapted from Reference [77] with permission (CC BY). Copyright: 2021, Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Figure 4

(A) The preparative process of NaErF₄@Ti₃C₂ MXene-based nanosystems for cancer theranostic applications. (B) Photothermal therapy and MR/NIR-II b imaging of cancer/tumor using the MXene nanocomposites. Adapted from Reference [56] with permission. Copyright: 2022, American Chemical Society.