1. Introduction

Cancer encompasses a collection of diseases characterized by the unbridled proliferation and differentiation of aberrant cells. It can occur in various tissues and organs of the human body, leading to disruption of normal tissue function and potentially causing harm to the entire body. The causes of cancer are diverse, including genetic factors, environmental factors, lifestyle and many other complex intertwined factors. Prevalent cancer types include breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and cervical cancers, but many other types exist. The symptoms of cancer depend on the type and development phase. Some common cancer symptoms include abnormal lumps or masses, pain, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, skin changes, digestive problems and difficulty breathing. However, these symptoms can be similar to other diseases, so the diagnosis of cancer requires a detailed evaluation by a medical professional and relevant examinations.

The treatment of cancer includes surgical resection of diseased tissue, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, stage, the patient's overall health condition and individual needs. Cancer prevention is also very important. Adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as smoking, limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, can reduce the risk of cancer. In addition, receiving regular cancer screening and early detection can help detect and treat potential cancer lesions as early as possible. Although cancer is a serious disease, early detection and the research progress of continuous offers hope for cancer treatment and management. There is an ongoing scientific and medical community effort to find more effective treatment, prevention, and early detection methods to improve the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients. Traditional cancer detection methods often have limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and invasiveness. In recent years, the cancer detection based on nanomaterials technology shows great potential of development, in order to overcome these challenges.

Nanomaterials refer to materials in the size range of nanometer scale (typically between 1 and 100 nm). Compared to conventional materials, nanomaterials exhibit distinctive physical, chemical, and biological properties that render them highly promising for a diverse array of applications across multiple disciplines. The special properties of nanomaterials are mainly derived from their small size effect. Due to the reduce size to the nanometer scale, the surface area of nanomaterials relative to the volume will increase significantly, this led to the surface reactivity and enhanced interface effect. Nanomaterials have quantum size effect, such as in nanocrystalline, the energy level structure of electronic limited, leads to a change in its photoelectric properties. Nanomaterials plays an important role in many fields. In the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, nanometer materials used in the preparation of new materials and to develop innovative nanoscale devices, such as sensors, nano electronic devices and nano drug carrier and so on. In the energy sector, nanomaterials are applied in solar cells, fuel cells, and energy storage devices to improve energy conversion efficiency and performance. In biomedicine, nanomaterials are exploited for applications such as drug delivery, cancer therapy, bioimaging and diagnostics. The preparation methods of nanomaterials include physical methods, chemical methods and biological preparation. Common nanomaterials include nanoparticles, nanowires, nanofilms, and nanoporous materials. By regulating the composition, morphology and structure of nanomaterials, can adjust its nature and function, in order to meet specific application requirements. Although nanomaterials have a great potential in many fields, but because of its unique properties and potential risks, such as toxicity and environmental impact, the study of its security and sustainability also becomes very important.

In this research, it will explore recent advances in cancer detection technologies based on nanomaterials. This research will discuss the application of different types of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoenzymes, in various aspects of cancer detection, including early diagnosis, tumor marker detection, imaging, and therapeutic monitoring [1]. This research will explore these based on the basic principle of detection strategies and mechanisms of nanomaterials, highlighting the advantages and limitations. In addition, this research will discuss the challenges faced by nanomaterial-based cancer detection methods, such as biocompatibility [2], scalability, and clinical translation. This research will explore potential strategies and innovations to overcome these challenges, including the integration of nanomaterials with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, microfluidics, and wearable devices. This research will discuss the promise that nanomaterials offer for personalized and precision cancer detection. By providing a comprehensive overview of cancer detection based on nanomaterials, this article aims to promote a deeper understanding of the latest technology, and the further development of this field. The integration of nanomaterials with detection technologies has great potential to fundamentally change cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

2. Nanoparticles-based fluorescent probes

2.1. Selective modification of fluorescent probes

It has achieved selective recognition and binding of cancer cells by modifying specific ligands or antibodies onto the surface of nanoparticles. These ligands or antibodies possess the ability to specifically target molecules or receptors that are excessively expressed on the surface of cancer cells, thereby facilitating a remarkable selectivity between nanoparticles and cancer cells.

Surface modification is a crucial step to achieve selective modification. Researchers manipulate the surface chemistry of nanoparticles through techniques such as introducing and modifying surface functional groups, thereby achieving specific interactions with molecules present on cancer cells' surfaces. These methods allow control over nanoparticle hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, charge state, and biocompatibility to enhance their selective recognition and binding to cancer cells.

2.2. Improvement of luminescence intensity and stability

To enhance luminescence intensity and stability in nanoparticle fluorescent probes, researchers have developed various novel fluorescent materials including organic dyes and quantum dots. These materials exhibit high quantum efficiency along with resistance to photobleaching, resulting in improved performance accuracy for detecting cancers. By regulating parameters like size, shape and crystal structure, researchers have enhanced the luminescence performance of nanoparticle fluorescent probes through controlling their surface properties and structural characteristics specifically tailored for each application scenario. These recent advances have shown that nanoparticle fluorescent probes have better selectivity and sensitivity in cancer detection through selective modification and improved stability of luminescence intensity. These advances provide important guidance for the design and optimization of nanoparticle fluorescent probes, which can help improve the accuracy and efficiency of early cancer diagnosis [1], as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Fluorescence imaging based on nanomaterials [1].

3. Multimodal imaging nanoprobes

3.1. Advantages and limitations of different imaging techniques

Different imaging techniques have their own advantages and limitations in cancer detection. Fluorescence imaging offers high sensitivity and resolution, enabling information acquisition at the cellular level. However, its deep tissue penetration is limited and may be affected by the autofluorescence background of the tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high contrast and detailed anatomical making it suitable for assessing tissue morphology and anatomy. Nevertheless, MRI has low sensitivity and requires the use of contrast agents to enhance the signal. Photooustic imaging combines optical and acoustic advantages, allowing for high-resolution optical imaging beyond the limitation of deep tissue penetration in traditional optical methods. However, photoacoustic imaging still faces challenges regarding deep tissue depth limitations as well as trade.

3.2. Design and application of multimodal imaging probes with nanomaterials

In designing multimodal nanomaterial-based probes for fluorescence-MRI dual-modal imaging, researchers integrate fluorescent dyes with superparamagnetic nanoparticles to achieve simultaneous detection of fluorescence signals alongside MRI signals. While fluorescence imaging provides highly sensitive molecule-level information, MRI contributes anatomical details along with functional insights into tissues' characteristics such as blood flow or perfusion status during cancer detection processes effectively enhancing accuracy through.

The multimodal imaging probe combining fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging is based on the optical properties and photoacoustic effects of nanoparticles. Fluorescence imaging provides highly sensitive detection of biomolecular markers, while photoacoustic imaging provides tissue structure and depth information. This combination can overcome the deep tissue limitation of fluorescence imaging while achieving high-resolution optical and acoustic imaging, improving the accuracy and visualization ability of cancer detection.

The combination of MRI and photoacoustic imaging can overcome their respective limitations. The sensitivity and contrast of MRI can be improved by using nanoparticles as contrast agents. At the same time, the combination of photoacoustic imaging can provide higher spatial resolution and depth penetration, resulting in more accurate cancer detection and localization. The design and application of these multimodal imaging probes are crucial for enhancing the sensitivity, specificity, and localization capabilities in cancer detection [3]. By integrating the strengths of multiple imaging techniques, multimodal imaging nanoprobes have demonstrated potential superiority in cancer detection. However, further research and experimental validation are required to verify their accuracy and feasibility, as well as address technical challenges that hinder their widespread clinical implementation [3, 4].

4. The interaction between nanomaterials and biomolecules

4.1. Mechanisms of interaction between nanomaterials and proteins

Researchers have intensively studied the mechanisms of interaction between nanomaterials and proteins to understand their potential application in cancer detection. By studying the binding mode, structural stability and functional changes of the interaction between nanomaterials and proteins, the binding mechanism and biological effects of nanomaterials with specific proteins can be revealed.

4.2. The interaction mechanism of nanomaterials with DNA and RNA

The interaction mechanism of nanomaterials with DNA and RNA is also one of the current research hotspots. Researchers have used experimental and computational simulations to explore the binding mode, stability, and functional effects between nanomaterials and nucleic acid molecules (DNA and RNA). These studies contribute to the understanding of the application potential of nanomaterials in genetic diagnosis, gene therapy, and gene delivery.

4.3. Impact of results on the design and optimization of nanomaterials sensors and probes

The results of in-depth studies on the interaction between nanomaterials and biomolecules have an important impact on the design and optimization of nanomaterials sensors and probes. Combined with an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interaction of nanomaterials with proteins, DNA, and RNA, surface modification and functionalization of nanomaterials can be optimized to achieve higher selectivity and sensitivity. In addition, a deeper understanding of the effects of the interaction between nanomaterials and biomolecules can also help to improve the signal transduction, detection mechanism, and biocompatibility of nanomaterials sensors.

The in-depth study of the interaction between nanomaterials and biomolecules provides a basis for the design and optimization of nanomaterials-based sensors and probes for cancer detection [4-6]. Understanding the interaction mechanisms can guide future nanomaterial selection, modification, and design to achieve more accurate, sensitive, and reliable cancer detection methods. However, further studies are needed to explore more interaction mechanisms and evaluate their safety and efficacy in clinical application.

5. Combination of nanomaterials and microfluidic chips

Microfluidic chip is a technology that utilizes micrometer-scale channels and microscale fluid control, which has the advantages of high throughput, high efficiency, low sample consumption, and fast experiments. Microfluidic chips are widely used in biomedical fields, including cell separation, cell culture, drug screening, gene analysis, and so on.

The combination of nanomaterials with microfluidic chips has great potential to further improve the function and performance of microfluidic chips. Nanomaterials can be applied to microfluidic chips in channel wall modification, probe labelling, signal enhancement and other aspects to improve the detection sensitivity and selectivity of cancer cells. The combination of nanomaterials and microfluidic chips can also realize applications such as nanodrug delivery, biomolecular analysis and disease diagnosis.

The combination of nanomaterials and microfluidic chips provides new avenues for the development of high-throughput and efficient cancer detection methods. The combination of the special properties of nanomaterials and the high-throughput characteristics of microfluidic chips can enable rapid, accurate, and multi-parameter cancer detection. The development of high-throughput and efficient cancer detection methods helps to accelerate the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, improve the treatment effect and patient survival rate. The combination of nanomaterials and microfluidic chips brings new opportunities and challenges to the field of cancer detection. By taking advantage of the advantages of microfluidic chips and the characteristics of nanomaterials, more accurate, high-throughput and efficient cancer detection methods can be realized, and more powerful tools and technical support can be provided for individualized treatment and early cancer diagnosis. However, more research is needed to overcome the technical challenges and evaluate the safety and biocompatibility of nanomaterials and microfluidic chips [7-9].

6. Application expansion of nanobiosensors

Nanobiosensors utilize the special properties of nanomaterials and the interactions of biomolecules to achieve highly sensitive and selective detection of biomolecules. Sensor design typically involves the selection, modification, and functionalization of nanomaterials, as well as the optimization of signal transduction and detection methods. Nanobiosensors are widely used in the detection of gene mutations, protein markers and metabolites. Nanomaterial based sensors can achieve highly sensitive detection of DNA sequence, protein expression and metabolite levels, thereby providing accurate means of disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Nanobiosensors are of great significance in personalized therapy and early cancer detection. Through the high sensitivity and selectivity of nanobiosensors, the detection of early cancer markers can be achieved to aid in early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, nanobiotic sensors can also provide valuable information for individualized treatment, helping physicians to formulate more precise treatment regimens based on the characteristics of individual genes and biomarkers. The application expansion of nanobiosensors provides important tools and technical support for precision medicine and early cancer detection. Through the special properties of nanomaterials and the interaction of biomolecules, nanobiosensors have the ability to detect biomolecules with high sensitivity and selectivity. This potential could help accelerate the development of individualized treatment and early cancer detection, provide patients with more effective treatment strategies and improve treatment success. However, the application of nanobiosensors still faces technical challenges and safety considerations, and further research and validation are needed to achieve their clinical application [10-13].

7. Conclusion

Nanomaterials based cancer detection technologies have progressed significantly in the past few years. The development of new technologies such as nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and the combination of microfluidic chips has provided higher sensitivity, specificity, and visualization capabilities for cancer detection. At the same time, the multimodal imaging and targeted therapy functions of nanomaterials also bring hope for individualized treatment. Future research directions include the discovery and development of new nanomaterials, the combination of genomics, the realization of individualized treatment, and the in-depth study of the safety and biocompatibility of nanomaterials. The advancement of these studies will further improve the accuracy and reliability of cancer detection technology, which will play an important role in early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, there are several technical challenges and safety considerations that need to be addressed. Further research and validation are necessary to ensure the safety and feasibility of nanomaterials and to move these technologies from the laboratory to clinical applications, leading to better quality of life and therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients.