Progress in the therapeutic applications of polymer-decorated black phosphorus and black phosphorus analog nanomaterials in biomedicine

J Mater Chem B. 2020 Aug 19;8(32):7076-7120. doi: 10.1039/d0tb00824a.

Abstract

Wonderful black phosphorus (BP) and some BP analogs (BPAs) have been increasingly studied for their biomedical applications owing to their fascinating properties and biodegradability, but opportunities and challenges have always coexisted in their study. Poor stability upon exposure to the natural environment is the major obstacle hampering their in vivo applications. BP/polymer and BPAs/polymer nanocomposites can not only efficiently prevent their oxidation and aggregation but also exhibit "biological activity" due to synergistic effects. In this review, we briefly describe the synthesis methods and stability strategies of BP/polymer and BPAs/polymer. Then, advances pertaining to their exciting therapeutic applications in various fields are systematically introduced, such as cancer therapy (phototherapy, drug delivery, and synergistic immunotherapy), bone regeneration, and neurogenesis. Some challenges for future clinical trials and possible directions for further study are finally discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Liberation
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Immunotherapy
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neurogenesis
  • Phosphorus / chemistry*
  • Phototherapy
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hydrogels
  • Polymers
  • Phosphorus