In recent years, graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterials have attracted wide attention due to their large surface area, strong light sensitivity and good biocompatibility in cancer treatment. The rich oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface provide it with the opportunity to be modified by many functional molecules to expand biological applications and reduce toxicity. In this review, the properties of GO and the methods of surface modification are presented, and the toxicity of GO is analysed. In addition, the current applications of GO in cancer diagnoses and treatments including biological imaging, drug and gene delivery, phototherapy and imaging-mediated combination therapy are summarised. Finally, the prospects and challenges of GO in cancer treatment are discussed.
Keywords: Graphene oxide; biological imaging; combination therapy; drug and gene delivery; modification; phototherapy; toxicity.