Fullerenes: Historical background, novel biological activities versus possible health risks

C60 fullerene is an allotropic molecule made up of sixty carbon atoms, which adopts a quasi-spherical geometry with twenty hexagonal faces and twelve pentagonal faces. This molecule has potential applications in biomedicine, catalysis, electronics, and photovoltaic materials. In this review, we focus on conveying relevant information about the discovery of this molecule, its characterization, and its possible applications in the biological area. In recent years, C60 fullerene has shown interesting biological properties that can be employed, for example, in radioprotection to prevent damage caused by radiotherapy. Furthermore, it has also been explored in photodynamic therapy as a cancer cell contrast agent in tumours. Its application in the delivery of peptide, in the design of antiviral drugs and in the prevention of oxidative stress through its antioxidant activity has also been described. Therefore, this work highlights the relevance of fullerenes and their biological applications that have the purpose of providing more effective, accessible and safe treatments in medicine; without losing sight of the possible toxic effects that these nanomaterials can cause.