Graphene quantum dots: Background, synthesis methods, and applications as nanocarrier in drug delivery and cancer treatment: An updated review

The use of graphene quantum dots in disease treatment is an innovative and advanced approach in the fields of chemistry, material science, and biology. Preclinical studies have shown promising results in using hybrid quantum dots for cancer treatment, which warrants further extensive research to explore their therapeutic properties. However, it is important to address the safety concerns of hybrid quantum dots in cancer treatment to ensure they do not accumulate in healthy tissues and cause harm. Biocompatible quantum dots find wide application in various medical fields, including intracellular imaging, drug delivery, chemical sensing, disease treatment, and tissue engineering. Modified graphene quantum dots have been developed for specific purposes such as detecting substances within the body, and they have also been studied for their therapeutic and imaging capabilities. Minimizing the impact on normal cells, target-modified graphene quantum dots are employed in cancer treatment and drug delivery. Pharmacokinetic studies have revealed that different types of modified graphene quantum dots primarily accumulate in the liver, heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. Additionally, the biosensing capabilities of graphene quantum dots should be further elucidated, and their clinical applications in various diseases should be thoroughly explored. In conclusion, thorough research on the application of graphene quantum dots in biomedicine is essential to meet the growing demands in this field.