Anthraquinone-Based Nanomaterials: Emerging Strategies in Cancer Therapy

Anthraquinone-based nanomaterials (ANMs) have recently garnered considerable attention due to their potential applications in cancer therapy. Anthraquinones are characterized by their tricyclic aromatic structure, which can be modified and incorporated into nanomaterials for various therapeutic purposes in cancer treatment. There are several ways in which ANMs are currently being investigated for cancer therapy such as improved drug delivery systems, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, imaging agents (anti-cancer agents), combination therapy, and biomarker detection. It is important to highlight that ongoing research in the field of nanomedicine is continuously advancing, and the exploration of ANMs for cancer therapy is a rapidly evolving area. Recent studies reported in the literature show that ANMs effectively inhibit cancer by reactive oxygen species formation, paraptosis, autophagy, apoptosis, and various cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, before these ANMs can be extensively utilized in cancer therapy, regulatory approval and clinical trials are mandatory steps in the process. The chapter outlines a comprehensive overview of ANMs, highlighting their potential use for therapeutic, cancer therapy, and various health products.

Keywords: Anthraquinone-based nanomaterials, Cancer therapy, Drug delivery systems, Nanomedicine, Photothermal therapy.