Integrating diagnosis and therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: advances in nanotheranostics

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses significant challenges in early diagnosis and effective treatment, leading to a poor prognosis. The emerging strategy of “theranostics,” which integrates diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single platform, offers a promising solution to overcome these limitations. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in the application of nanomaterials for theranostics in HCC. First, we elaborate on the design and construction of nanoplatforms and their unique physicochemical properties, which enable simultaneous imaging (e.g., MRI, CT, fluorescence imaging) and therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, and gene silencing). We then highlight the significant advantages of these nanomaterial-based approaches, such as enhanced tumor-specific targeting, improved imaging sensitivity, reduced systemic toxicity, and synergistic therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, we critically discuss the current challenges and prospects for the clinical translation of HCC theranostics. This review aims to provide a foundational reference and inspire further innovation in developing efficient nanotheranostic agents for the treatment of HCC.