Graphene in Medical Applications: So Close, Yet So Far
Graphene, often hailed as the “king of new materials,” has garnered significant attention in electronics, new energy batteries, aerospace, and is now poised to revolutionize the medical field. Recently, an international research team announced that graphene has been used to develop the world’s first metal magnet, with potential applications in MRI, water treatment, biochemistry, and electronics. Thanks to its large surface area, biocompatibility, and chemical stability, graphene holds great promise in drug delivery, cancer treatment, and biosensing.
Graphene in Medical Diagnostics
In Vitro Detection: Biosensors represent a rapidly advancing technology. In medical applications, graphene is being explored as a sensor for in vitro diagnostics, marking a significant research and application direction. While research on graphene in medicine is still in its infancy, with many studies remaining theoretical, some experimental investigations are underway. Graphene’s potential as an in vitro diagnostic sensor may soon be realized in industrial applications. Clinical trials have demonstrated that graphene, combined with other nanoparticles, can effectively detect diseases in vitro. A research team in Shanghai has made notable progress in this area, showcasing applications in breath and saliva testing. Since disease markers in exhaled breath are often present in trace amounts, the detection sensitivity must be high. Graphene can enhance detection sensitivity by at least three orders of magnitude compared to traditional methods, sometimes enabling single-molecule detection.
Graphene in Medical Treatment
In Vivo Treatment: Current research extends to graphene’s applications in drug delivery, cancer therapy, antibacterial sterilization, and artificial implants. However, in vivo applications are still in their early stages and come with high risks. While graphene shows promise for in vitro medical use, its in vivo therapeutic applications are far from ready and may never reach practical use. Graphene’s large surface area makes it an excellent candidate for drug delivery, capable of transporting significant quantities of drugs to specific body regions. Graphene oxide, in particular, can serve as an anticancer agent targeting specific cancer cells. Although current treatment methods can shrink tumors, recurrence post-treatment remains a challenge. Experiments have shown that graphene can enhance the efficacy of other drugs when used as an immunoadjuvant. For instance, graphene combined with creatine can stimulate immune cells to secrete more cytokines, which can kill tumors and significantly boost immunity. Nonetheless, this technology has a long way to go before being applied to humans.
Graphene’s excellent conductivity allows it to be modified on electrode surfaces and inserted into nerves, aiding in the electrical stimulation treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have previously incorporated graphene into 3D-printed nerve tissue, developing a polymer material for tissue culture and using graphene as a conductor.
In summary, while graphene’s potential in the medical field is vast, it remains in the early stages of research and development. The journey from promising laboratory results to practical, widespread medical applications is fraught with challenges and uncertainties.