Novoselov, K. S., Mishchenko, A., Carvalho, A., & Castro Neto, A. H. (2016). 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures. Science, 353(6298), aac9439.

This is a review paper by some of the field’s pioneers, moving beyond single-layer graphene to discuss the potential of stacking various 2D materials -such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)- to form van der Waals heterostructures with designer properties.

Wang, Q. H., Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Kis, A., Coleman, J. N., & Strano, M. S. (2012). Electronics and optoelectronics of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides. Nature Nanotechnology, 7(11), 699–712.

A foundational review that highlighted the importance of TMDs (e.g., MoS_2, WSe_2) as an alternative to graphene, specifically because of their tunable bandgaps, which makes them suitable for electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Butler, S. Z., Hollen, S. M., Cao, L., Cui, Y., Guo, J., Harfouche, T., … & Goldberger, J. E. (2013). Progress, challenges, and opportunities in two-dimensional materials beyond graphene. ACS Nano, 7(4), 2898–2926.

This work broadened the scope of 2D material research beyond the two major families (graphene and TMDs) to include materials like black phosphorus, h-BN, and other compound materials, discussing their synthesis and potential.

Manzeli, S., Allain, A., Ghadimi, A., Kis, A., & Kis, A. (2017). 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. Nature Reviews Materials, 2(8), 17033.

A comprehensive technical review that delves into the synthesis, characterisation, and device applications (including transistors, sensors, and photodetectors) of TMDs, which are central to 2D semiconductor research.

Glavin, N. R., Rao, R., Varshney, V., Bianco, E., Apte, A., Roy, A., … & Ajayan, P. M. (2020). Emerging applications of elemental 2D materials. Advanced Materials, 32(40), 1904302.

Provides an up-to-date look at 2D materials made from single elements, such as silicene, germanene, and phosphorene, discussing their unique properties and current progress in device integration.

Allen, T. M., & Cullis, P. R. (2013). Liposomal drug delivery systems: From concept to clinical applications. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 65(1), 36–48.

Reviews liposomes, the most successful type of nanocarrier currently in clinical use (e.g., Doxil). It discusses the history, formulation principles, targeting strategies, and the critical factors that allowed liposomes to achieve clinical translation.

Wilhelm, S., Tavares, A. J., Dai, Q., Omasits, S., Uriarte, H. S., Thuroff, S., … & Chan, W. C. W. (2016). Analysis of nanoparticle delivery to tumours. Nature Reviews Materials, 1(5), 16014.

A well-known study that critically analysed the efficiency of nanoparticle delivery to tumours in preclinical models, highlighting the significant gap between administered dose and the fraction that actually reaches the tumour mass. It established crucial quantitative metrics for the field.

Shi, J., Kantoff, P. W., Wooster, R., & Farokhzad, O. C. (2017). Cancer nanomedicine: progress, challenges and opportunities. Nature Reviews Cancer, 17(1), 20–37.

A comprehensive review of the entire nanomedicine landscape, detailing various nanoparticle types (polymeric, metallic, lipid-based), discussing their use in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and imaging, and clearly outlining the clinical and regulatory challenges that persist.

Luo, C., Sun, J., Sun, B., Xiong, X., & Fu, Y. (2020). Nanoparticle-based drug delivery in cancer therapy and its role in overcoming drug resistance. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 15, 8023–8044.

Focuses on a major hurdle in cancer treatment: Multidrug Resistance (MDR). This review details how various nanoparticles are engineered to bypass drug efflux pumps, alter drug distribution, and sensitise cancer cells to traditional therapies.

Chen, Y., Chen, H., & Shi, J. (2019). Smart nanomedicines for synergistic cancer combination therapy. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 144, 126–141.

Reviews the concept of ‘smart’ or stimuli-responsive nanoparticles that are designed to unleash their cargo in response to the tumour microenvironment (e.g., low pH, high GSH concentration, hypoxia, or external stimuli such as light), emphasising synergistic combination therapies (chemo-photothermal, chemo-gene, etc.).

Hajba, L., & Guttman, A. (2020). Emerging role of gold nanoparticles in cancer therapy. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 131, 116012.

Provides specific focus on inorganic nanoparticles, particularly gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are also used in PERSEUS. It reviews their unique properties for photothermal therapy (PTT), as contrast agents for imaging (theranostics), and as carriers for drug delivery.

Li, X., Lovell, J. F., Yoon, J., & Chen, X. (2020). Clinical development and potential of photothermal and photodynamic therapies for cancer. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 17(11), 657–674.

This is a comprehensive and recent review that provides a side-by-side comparison of both PDT and PTT. It discusses their clinical progress, key differences in mechanisms, and how nanobiotechnology is being used to overcome challenges like poor tissue penetration.

Dolmans, D. E. J. G. J., Fukumura, Y., & Jain, R. K. (2003). Photodynamic therapy for cancer. Nature Reviews Cancer, 3(5), 380–387.

It clearly outlines the principles of PDT (photosensitizer, light, and oxygen) and its dual mechanism of action: direct cytotoxicity and vascular shutdown. Though older, the core principles remain relevant.

Jain, R. K. (2005). Normalizing tumor vasculature: an emerging concept in antiangiogenic therapy. Science, 307(5706), 58–62.

While not solely about phototherapy, this work is important because the vascular effects (destruction or normalisation) of PDT are a major mechanism of its efficacy, which this article discusses in detail in the context of tumour microenvironment and drug delivery.

Zou, J., Zhao, J., Yang, P., Sun, Z., & Chen, X. (2023). The Current Status of Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2769.

A recent review providing an updated status of PDT, focusing on the latest advancements in photosensitisers (PSs), strategies to overcome limitations (such as hypoxia), and a detailed overview of current clinical applications & trials across various cancer types.

Fan, W., Lu, N., Huang, P., & Chen, X. (2021). Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapies: Synergy Opportunities for Nanomedicine. ACS Nano, 15(4), 6131–6151.

This review focuses on nanotheranostics and the growing trend of combining PDT and PTT. It details the synergistic opportunities of using dual-modality nanoplatforms, which aim to leverage the immune-stimulating effects of PDT with the ablative power of PTT.

On PDT and PTT, see also Chen, Y., Chen, H., & Shi, J. (2019) in previous section.

Lammers, T., Kiessling, F., Ashford, M. B., & Hennink, W. E. (2012). Theranostic Nanomedicine. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 80(3), 462–471.

A classic review that helped popularise the concept of nanotheranostics. It systematically introduces the idea of combining diagnostic agents (for imaging/monitoring) and therapeutic agents (for treatment) within a single nanosystem to facilitate personalised medicine.

Kelkar, S. S., & Reineke, T. M. (2011). Theranostics: Combining Imaging and Therapy. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 22(10), 1879–1903.

This in-depth review explores the chemical strategies for creating theranostic agents, focusing on the various types of imaging modalities (MRI, PET, optical) and therapeutic mechanisms (chemotherapy, phototherapy) that can be linked or encapsulated.

Song, Y., Zou, J., Castellanos, E. A., & Chen, X. (2024). Theranostics—a sure cure for cancer after 100 years? Theranostics, 14(6), 2465–2483.

A recent and comprehensive overview covering the history, current advances, and future prospects. It distinctly separates the field into its two most representative domains: radiotheranostics (based on radioactive agents) and nanotheranostics (based on nanoparticle-based systems), and addresses the challenges in clinical translation.

Biju, V. (2018). Chemical Process and Bio-Reactions of Theranostics Nanomedicine. Chemical Society Reviews, 47(17), 7091–7123.

Focuses on the fundamental chemistry and biological interactions of theranostic nanomedicines. It details how the chemical composition and surface modifications of nanomaterials influence their behaviour in the body, which is critical for successful clinical use.

Sutradhar, S. C., & Lee, O. J. (2024). Recent nanotheranostic approaches in cancer research. Nanomaterials, 14(2), 146.

An up-to-date review detailing the various types of nanomaterials used (gold, silica, liposomes), their mechanisms for targeting cancer cells, and the critical limitations that must be addressed for widespread clinical adoption.