“Oxygen-Generating Metal Peroxide Particles for Cancer Therapy, Diagnosis, and Theranostics”

Theranostic materials, which combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, represent a promising advancement in cancer treatment by improving both the precision and personalization of therapies. Recently, metal peroxides (MePOs) have attracted significant interest from researchers for their potential use in both cancer diagnosis and therapy. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the application of MePOs for innovative cancer treatment strategies. The unique properties of MePOs, such as oxygen generation, are highlighted for their potential to improve therapeutic outcomes, especially in hypoxic tumor microenvironments. Initially, methods for MePO synthesis are briefly discussed, including hydrolyzation–precipitation, reversed-phase microemulsion, and sonochemical techniques, emphasizing the role of surfactants in regulating the particle size and enhancing bioactivity. Next, we discuss the main therapeutic approaches where MePOs have shown promise. These applications include chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Overall, we focus on integrating MePOs into theranostic platforms to enhance cancer treatment and enable diagnostic imaging for improved clinical outcomes. Finally, we discuss potential future research directions that could lead to clinical translation and the development of advanced medicines.