Radiation therapy (RT), including external beam
radiotherapy (EBRT) and internal
radioisotope therapy (RIT), has been an indispensable strategy for
cancer therapy in clinical practice in recent years. Ionized atoms and
free radicals emitted from the nucleus of
radioisotopes can cleave a single strand of
DNA, inducing the apoptosis of
cancer cells. Thus far, nuclides used for RIT could be classified into three main types containing alpha (α), beta (β), and Auger particle emitters. In order to enhance the bioavailability and reduce the physiological toxicity of
radioisotopes, various
biomaterials have been utilized as multifunctional nanocarriers, including targeting molecules, macromolecular
monoclonal antibodies,
peptides, inorganic nanomaterials, and organic and polymeric nanomaterials. Therapeutic
radioisotopes have been labeled onto these nanocarriers via different methods (chelating, chemical doping, encapsulating, displacement) to inhibit or kill
cancer cells. With the continuous development of research in this respect, more promising
biomaterials as well as novel therapeutic strategies have emerged to achieve the high-performance RIT of
cancer. In this review article, we summarize recent advances in
biomaterial-mediated RIT of
cancer and provide guidance for non-experts to understand nuclear medicine and to conduct
cancer radiotherapy.