Chemical foundations of nano-bio interactions in cancer theranostics

The convergence of diagnostics and therapeutics—theranostics—offers new hope for precision oncology. Functional nanomaterials, especially those operating in biological environments, enable simultaneous cancer detection and treatment. Photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), biological imaging, and nanozymes have shown particular promise. However, the clinical translation of these agents is often limited by insufficient understanding of their chemical behavior in complex biological settings, including surface chemistry, stability, and biocatalytic activity. Rational design demands deeper insights into how nanomaterial chemistry governs interactions with tumors, immune cells, and off-target tissues. This Research Topic addresses these chemical foundations to advance cancer theranostics.This Research Topic aims to bridge critical knowledge gaps in the chemistry-driven development of biological theranostic agents. Despite rapid advances, key problems remain: poor control over nano-bio interfacial reactions, unpredictable pharmacokinetics, and insufficient selectivity for tumors over healthy tissues. We seek contributions that tackle these issues through innovative chemical design. Specifically, we encourage studies that (1) elucidate structure–activity relationships of nanozymes for tumor microenvironment modulation, (2) integrate multiple functionalities (e.g., imaging-guided PTT/PDT) into single platforms via rational chemical synthesis, and (3) develop stimuli-responsive systems (pH, redox, light, or enzyme) that activate precisely within malignant lesions. Recent progress in molecular engineering has enabled smarter nanoplatforms, but mechanistic understanding of their in vivo fate remains sparse. Therefore, we also welcome work that quantitatively analyzes nanomaterial–protein corona formation, cellular uptake pathways, and biodegradation products. By focusing on the chemistry underpinning theranostic function—rather than purely biological outcomes—we aim to establish design rules for safer, more effective agents. Ultimately, this collection will provide a chemical roadmap to accelerate translation from benchtop to preclinical models, addressing the urgent need for precision cancer theranostics.We invite Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Opinion, and Perspective on the following themes: chemical design of hybrid nanomaterials for cancer theranostics; nanozyme catalysis in tumor microenvironments; photothermal/photodynamic agents with enhanced stability and targeting; multimodal imaging probes integrated with therapy; chemical strategies to improve biocompatibility and clearance; and stimuli-responsive nanosystems for controlled release. Manuscripts must include robust chemical characterization (e.g., surface analysis, stability data, reaction mechanisms) and functional validation in relevant biological models. We do not accept purely descriptive studies lacking mechanistic insight. All article types (Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Opinion, Perspective) will be considered. Please refer to the Frontiers in Chemistry author guidelines for formatting. Contributions that clearly establish structure–activity relationships or quantitative nano–bio interaction data are especially encouraged. Topic editors: Xiaoming Hu, Haiyong Ao Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83851/chemical-foundations-of-nano-bio-interactions-in-cancer-theranostics