Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (26): 6937-6945.doi: 10.12307/2026.759

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Main preparation methods of new fluorescent nanomaterial carbon quantum dots and their applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment

Guo Zhiyou1, Hu Rui2, Zhu Jinling1     

  1. 1School of Basic Medicine, 2School of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154100, Heilongjiang Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-09-25 Online:2026-09-18 Published:2026-03-16
  • Contact: Zhu Jinling, Professor, School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154100, Heilongjiang Province, China
  • About author:Guo Zhiyou, MS candidate, School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154100, Heilongjiang Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Carbon quantum dots are a novel fluorescent nanomaterial that, thanks to their excellent optical properties, good biocompatibility, and low toxicity, show significant potential in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the methods used to prepare carbon quantum dots and their applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS: Relevant literature was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases using computer searches. Chinese search terms were “tumor therapy, carbon quantum dots, arc discharge, electrochemical discharge, drug delivery, fluorescence imaging.” English search terms were “CQD tumor therapy, carbon quantum dot preparation, carbon quantum dots, tumor diagnosis and treatment.” According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 102 articles were finally included in the review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Common preparation methods for carbon quantum dots are top-down method and bottom-up method. In terms of preparation, the top-down method (arc discharge, electrochemical, laser ablation) uses graphite and other carbon materials as precursors, which is simple to operate but produces many by-products and has low quantum yield; after purification, the yield can be improved. The bottom-up method (hydrothermal, microwave, and template) utilizes biomass or small-molecule carbon sources, offering environmental friendliness and excellent water solubility of the products. In tumor diagnosis and therapy, carbon quantum dots exert their effects through multiple synergistic mechanisms. Fluorescence imaging enables early tumor diagnosis and real-time monitoring using carbon quantum dots as fluorescent probes for labeling tumor cells. In photothermal therapy, the photothermal conversion efficiency of carbon quantum dots is used to convert light energy into heat energy to kill tumor cells. In photodynamic therapy, carbon quantum dots produce reactive oxygen species to destroy tumor cell biomacromolecules. As drug carriers, carbon quantum dots can deliver anti-tumor drugs to the tumor site in a targeted manner, reducing adverse reactions. In immunotherapy, “cold tumors” are converted into “hot tumors” by triggering immunogenic death, reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and activating the interferon-stimulating factor pathway. In multimodal treatment, carbon quantum dots achieve a high tumor inhibition rate by integrating chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy.

Key words: carbon quantum dot, tumor diagnosis and treatment, preparation method, nanomedicine, fluorescence imaging, fluorescent nanomaterial, tumor treatment, nanomaterial

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