Carbon Nanohorns in Biomedical Applications

Single-walled carbon nanohorns are horn-shaped aggregates of graphene sheets that assemble into spherical clusters measuring 50–100 nm in diameter. Their unique morphology confers a high surface area, facile functionalisation and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency. In biomedicine, these attributes enable the loading and controlled release of therapeutic agents, the incorporation of imaging contrast elements and the integration of multiple treatment modalities into a single platform. Surface modifications enhance aqueous dispersibility, target specificity and biocompatibility, while minimising off-target toxicity. Recent developments have demonstrated the synergistic fusion of chemotherapy, photothermal therapy and immunotherapy, as well as the use of nanohorn-based probes for multimodal imaging. Collectively, these advances underscore the global significance of carbon nanohorns as versatile nanoplatforms for precision medicine and their potential for clinical translation.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have illuminated the superior biocompatibility of single-walled carbon nanohorns relative to conventional carbon nanotubes. Detailed investigations in macrophage models revealed that the distinct geometry of nanohorns reduces membrane protein interactions and limits downstream lysosomal stress, pyroptosis and apoptosis. A key transmembrane protein, GPNMB, was identified as a mediator of nanocarbon toxicity, with weaker interactions observed for nanohorns compared to nanotubes. This mechanistic insight establishes a foundation for the safe design of nanohorn-based therapeutics.

Carbon Nanohorns in Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in carbon nanohorns in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Carbon Nanohorns: Horn-shaped aggregates of graphene sheets forming spherical clusters with high surface area and unique defect sites.

Photothermal Therapy: A treatment modality in which nanomaterials convert near-infrared light into heat to ablate diseased tissue.

Photodynamic Therapy: A technique that uses light-activated photosensitisers to generate reactive oxygen species and induce cell death.

Biocompatibility: The ability of a material to interact with biological systems without eliciting adverse immune or toxic responses.

Functionalisation: Chemical or physical modification of a nanomaterial’s surface to impart targeting, stability or diagnostic properties.

References

1. Biomimetic Functional Nanocomplexes for Photothermal Cancer Chemoimmunotheranostics. Small Science (2024).
2. Preparation of Functional Nanoparticles-Loaded Magnetic Carbon Nanohorn Nanocomposites towards Composite Treatment. Nanomaterials (2023).
3. Sequential PDT and PTT Using Dual‐Modal Single‐Walled Carbon Nanohorns Synergistically Promote Systemic Immune Responses against Tumor Metastasis and Relapse. Advanced Science (2020).
4. Single-walled carbon-nanohorns improve biocompatibility over nanotubes by triggering less protein-initiated pyroptosis and apoptosis in macrophages. Nature Communications (2018).