Nanoarchitectured assembly and surface of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) for cancer therapy

The two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)-based nanomaterials have acquired enormous interest due to their advantageous morphological properties and physicochemical characteristics, such as rich elemental composition, exceptional optical and electrical characteristics, as well as thermal stability, among others. In addition, these nanoarchitectures with intrinsic versatile functionalities offer excellent loading and transport capabilities due to large specific surface area and show promising photothermal and photodynamic effects against cancer. This review comprehensively introduces various forms of 2D TMDCs-based nanoarchitectures, such as altered 2D structure (vacancy and nanoflower) and their composites (doping, alloyed, particles/dots on sheets, 2D-2D heterojunctions, and core–shell nanostructures) for cancer therapy. Initially, we briefly emphasize the chemistry and configuration of 2D TMDCs, exploring their elemental composition and nomenclature. Further, we present fascinating insights of the different engineering strategies of these notified 2D TMDCs-based nanoarchitectures, highlighting the effects of various reaction conditions on the eventual morphological features and physicochemical properties. Then, we emphasize these 2D TMDCs-based nanoarchitectures and their applicability as traditional carriers (drugs/photosensitizers/genes) and innovative therapeutic models (photothermal and photodynamic) to achieve synergistic theranostics. Finally, we summarize the article with the challenges of translating these innovative platforms into clinical practice.