The copper age in cancer treatment: From copper metabolism to cuproptosis

Because of their intrinsic physiochemical and biological properties together with essential role in living organism, copper (Cu) and Cu-based nanomaterials have garnered widespread attention in recent years for their vital functions in a variety of diseases, particularly cancer treatment. Meanwhile, significant and emerging nanotechnologies greatly facilitate the fabrication of Cu-based nanomaterials with intriguing therapeutic properties for nanomedicine, which building a “Cu Age”. Given the rapid advancement of Cu and Cu-based nanomaterials in the field of cancer treatment, the purpose of this review is to survey, summarize, highlight, and discuss the current state-of-the-art situations, benefits and challenges, and potential therapeutic applications of Cu and Cu-based nanomaterials, including Cu metabolism and homeostasis, targeting Cu therapy via Cu chelators and ionophores, TME-responsive therapy, tumor imaging, chemodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, drug delivery system, and cuproptosis-related therapy. The biocompatibility of Cu-based nanomaterials is also discussed, as well as future prospects for clinical application in the field of cancer treatment in the near future.