Applications of Nanomaterials for Cancer Treatment: Recent Patents Review

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nanotechnology has offered intriguing potential to significantly improve the existing cancer diagnosis and treatment platforms. Recently, a variety of nanomaterials have emerged as promising tools for cancer therapeutic applications due to their unique structural, optical, magnetic, and electrical properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize the updated patents regarding the utility of nanomaterials for cancer treatment. In particular, this review will discuss several representative nanostructures, ranging from gold nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles and liposomes, magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots and carbon nanotubes, and their applications in targeted drug delivery, radiotherapy, hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy.