A mesoporous material based on aluminosilicate mixture was studied to investigate its ability to include drugs and then release them. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as diflunisal, naproxen, ibuprofen and its sodium salt have been used in this study. The preparation of the mesoporous material and its characterization by X-ray, N₂ absorption-desorption isotherm, and thermogravimetry analysis have been described. Drug loading was performed by a soaking procedure. Drug-loaded matrices were characterized for entrapped drug amount, water absorption ability, and thermogravimetric behavior. Drug release studies also were performed at pH 1.1 and 6.8 mimicking gastrointestinal fluids. Experimental results showed that this type of matrix is able to trap the bioactive agents by a soaking procedure and, then, to release them in conditions mimicking the biological fluids. Also, the high affinity of these matrices for water makes them potentially biocompatible. Release data suggest that the matrix impregnated with diflunisal offers good potential as a system for the modified drug release.

Cancer theranostics is a new concept of medical approach that attempts to combine in a unique nanoplatform diagnosis, monitoring and therapy so as to provide eradication of a solid tumor in a non-invasive fashion. There are many available solutions to tackle cancer using theranostic agents such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) under the guidance of imaging techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance—MRI, photoacoustic—PA or computed tomography—CT imaging). Additionally, there are several potential theranostic nanoplatforms able to combine diagnosis and therapy at once, such as gold nanoparticles (GNPs), graphene oxide (GO), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and carbon nanodots (CDs). Currently, surface functionalization of these nanoplatforms is an extremely useful protocol for effectively tuning their structures, interface features and physicochemical properties. This approach is much more reliable and amenable to fine adjustment, reaching both physicochemical and regulatory requirements as a function of the specific field of application. Here, we summarize and compare the most promising metal- and carbon-based theranostic tools reported as potential candidates in precision cancer theranostics. We focused our review on the latest developments in surface functionalization strategies for these nanosystems, or hybrid nanocomposites consisting of their combination, and discuss their main characteristics and potential applications in precision cancer medicine.