Cancer, as the one of the major diseases that threaten human health is an urgent challenge to be addressed. The design and application of functional nanomaterials and related systems for cancer treatment is an emerging research field, mainly associated with drug delivery systems, vaccine, diagnosis and imagining. To date, some of these outcomes could be seen in the clinical and preclinical studies, which provides the possibility for real-time monitoring, accurate evaluation and designation of personalized treatment. Here, we review the recent progress of utilizing nanotechnology in the field of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, theranostics and clinical transformation. The prospects and challenges of this field are also discussed.

nanotechnology  /  molecular imaging  /  theranostics  /  drug delivery  /  vaccine