Two-dimensional (2D) materials beyond graphene in cancer drug delivery, photothermal and photodynamic therapy, recent advances and challenges ahead: A review

Abstract Since the discovery of graphene with its exceptional properties which led to several biomedical applications, other 2D materials beyond graphene have been synthesized and developed which are not thoroughly investigated. The superior properties of recently developed 2D materials such as high surface-area-to-volume ratio, biocompatibility, stability in the physiological media, easy synthesis, easy functionalization, low toxicity, and high photothermal conversion efficiency have made them as excellent candidates in biomedical and cancer therapy applications. In this review, different 2D materials beyond graphene including transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), 2D boron nitride (BN), MXenes, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), transition metal oxides (TMOs), and 2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are introduced. The applications of these 2D materials in cancer therapy and diagnosis, including drug delivery, bioimaging, photothermal therapy (PTT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) have been reviewed. Prospects and challenges ahead have been addressed.