尽管进行了广泛的研究，但大多数类型的癌症仍然缺乏完全治愈的方法。基于纳米技术的载体，如脂质体、纳米粒子（NP）、树枝状聚合物、纳米乳剂和其他纳米载体，可以靶向癌细胞，但它们在体内的命运是不可预测的。仿生量子点 (BQD) 具有增强的水溶性、极低的毒性、生物相容性、易于生物功能化和选择性癌症靶向性。鉴于其光致发光、高纵向弛豫值、激光照射时的光热效应、产生单线态氧以及用于气体治疗的 H2S，BQD 是优异的癌症治疗诊断剂。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了 BQD 的治疗诊断应用以及与之相关的现有挑战。版权所有 © 2023。由 Elsevier Ltd 出版。

Despite extensive research, a complete cure remains lacking for most types of cancer. Nanotechnology-based carriers, such as liposomes, nanoparticles (NPs), dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and other nanocarriers, can target cancer cells, but their in vivo fate is unpredictable. Bioinspired quantum dots (BQDs) offer enhanced aqueous solubility, exceptionally low toxicity, biocompatibility, easy biofunctionalization, and selective cancer targeting. Given their photoluminescence, high longitudinal relaxation value, photothermal effect upon laser irradiation, generation of singlet oxygen, and H2S for gas therapy, BQDs are excellent cancer theranostic agents. In this review, we highlight the theranostic application of, and existing challenges relating to, BQDs.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.