Next-generation nanomedicine: the impact of graphene oxide and quantum dots on drug delivery

Graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are two well-known graphene-related materials derived from a single layer of C-atoms which are arranged in a honeycomb structure. Due to their unique physicochemical properties such as high specific surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, good mechanical strength, and intrinsic biocompatibility, GO and GQDs have drawn great attention in versatile scientific domains, especially in biomedical applications. Recently, they have been recognised as potential sources for new therapeutic approaches, particularly in influencing inflammatory responses and cancer therapy. The drug and imaging agent loading and delivery ability, ease of transport and release, targeting ability, and imaging canny have met them to be attractive carriers for next generation nanomedicine. Particularly their involvement in selective drug delivery systems represents an opportunity to improve so to speak the therapeutic efficacy, by confining the exposure to the therapeutic such to reach the desired tissue/tumor further abating the treatment of the healthy cells. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the development and application of GO- or GQD-based delivery systems and put emphasis on strategies utilized to improve the targeting capability, biocompatibility, and therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment.