Development of metal–peptide composite nanomaterials for diagnosis and phototherapy

Different cancer treatment techniques are being used in healthcare departments but still, the death toll is rising day by day. Therefore, we need to find effective ways for cancer diagnosis and treatments. Recently, nanotechnology has shown the potential advantages to increase selectivity and specificity in cancer phototheranostics treatment. In this regard, metal-modulated peptide nanomaterials have gained attention for cancer phototheranostics due to their known assembly mechanism and biocompatibility. Metals enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of peptide building blocks. Most of the time, metals increase the generation of reactive oxygen species and enhance light-to-heat conversion efficiency. Here, we highlight the recent literature on the amino acid, short peptides, and anticancer drugs conjugated with peptides and then their assembly with metals in a different morphology and size of organic composite nanomaterials. Afterward, we will discuss their role in the diagnostics and treatment by photothermal/photodynamic therapy. In the end, we present the conclusion and future perspective for designing next-generation organic nanomaterials for anticancer treatments.