Graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide: Efficient cargo platforms for cancer theranostics

Drug delivery for successful treatment of cancer, which is potently facilitated by progress in nanotechnology opens new avenue in this field. Graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives, as the most investigated and used delivery system, have various potential characteristics make it a suitable candidate for cancer treatment. Increased loading capacity, enhanced surface area, capability of reactive oxygen species induction, as well as aptitude for surface functionalization are among the most important features of these nanoparticle. An accumulating body of recent studies have been reported the high efficacy of GO and its derivatives in cancer biosensing, gene delivery, drug delivery, photothermal therapy, combination therapy, and concurrent therapy and diagnostics (theranostics). Therefore, the present review is aimed to elaborate the critical function of GO and its derivatives in cancer diagnosis and therapy.