Theranostic applications of functionalized carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are remarkable nanostructures that have been most studied in recent years for biomedical applications, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and central nervous system disorders, as well as applications in tissue engineering. In particular, functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNTs) have been successfully used in pharmaceuticals and medicine due to their nature and properties. This chapter focuses on carbon nanotubes and mainly functionalized carbon nanotubes with the basic theranostic approach. We critically discuss the functionalization techniques of carbon nanotubes and the functionalized carbon nanotubes used in theranostic applications with advantages and disadvantages them and future directions based on the recent developments in various fields. We also highlight up-to-date pieces of evidence that demonstrate their toxicity and biological safety. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.