Nanomedicine is widely developed in recent years. In nanomedicine system,
nanoscale and nanostructured functional materials are used to manipulate the human biology
systems at the molecular level for cancer imaging and therapy. New nanostructure
based functional materials consist of nanoscale liposomes, spheres, micelles, capsules,
emulsion, suspension and phamacosomes. Several functional nanoparticles such as lipidbased
and polymer-based materials are demonstrated to be drug delivery vehicles and imaging
agents. These materials are biodegradable, biocompatible and have better biodistribution,
lower side effect and lower toxicity. In addition, hybrids with these materials
coating provide uniquely electrical, optical and magnetic properties. This review discusses
the research on the applications of functional materials, especially nanoparticles as
imaging contrast agents, cancer therapeutic agents and multi-functional agents and this
review focused on the theranostic integration treatments on liver cancer and brain cancer.