Radiolabeled carbon-based nanostructures: New radiopharmaceuticals for cancer therapy?

Nanomaterials are sophisticated multifunctional structures, with the potential to improve the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment modalities. The combination of nanomaterials with nuclear medicine isotopes, provides an opportunity to produce more precise and effective radiopharmaceuticals. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) have attracted unprecedented attention due to their remarkable physicochemical properties. CNMs can function as carriers to deliver substantial amounts of radionuclides, and can also be targeted by attachment of molecular recognition ligands. Various types of CNMs, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes, nanodiamonds, or carbon quantum dots have been exploited to improve the delivery of radionuclides. In the current review, we summarize the principles and pitfalls of radionuclide therapy, and suggest that CNMs could be a potential solution. Studies have shown that CNMs can be effective not only as nanocarriers of radiopharmaceuticals, but also as theranostic systems.