Table 3 Summary of the application of CNTs in cancer diagnosis

SWNTs

Raman Imaging

Strong spots of Raman signals derived from the o-SWNTs-PEG in colon-26 cells can be obtained 5 days after administration

[141]

SWNTs

Raman Imaging

Possess a strong SERS effect suitable for labeling and fast Raman spectroscopic imaging of biological samples

[142]

SWNTs

MRI

Exhibit excellent MRI function for tumor diagnosis

[143]

MWNTs

MRI

Magnify the longitudinal proton relaxation process, possess T1 enhanced MRI effect

[144]

MWNTs

Ultrasonography

Show high contrast in ultrasonic imaging

[145]

MWNTs

Ultrasonography

Exhibit the ultrasound signal with strong, long-lived and high-quality properties after sonication treatment

[146]

SWNTs

PA Imaging

Shows obvious and stable PA signals

[147]

MWNTs

PA Imaging

Precisely target to the tumor site in vivo, strong PA imaging effect can be obtained

[148]

MWNTs

Radionuclide Imaging

Enable easy and direct SPECT/CT imaging

[149]

SWNTs

Radionuclide Imaging

Achieve efficient tumor tissue accumulation for the subsequent radionuclide imaging

[150]

SWNTs

NIRF imaging

Produces outstanding signal-to-noise performance and exhibits the high specificity towards the in situ ovarian tumor and the implanted tumor nodules

[151]

SWNTs

NIRF imaging

Obtain high-resolution intravital tumor vessel images through the thick skin in live mice

[152]

MWNTs

Nanobiosensor

Obtain high biosensing ability, and provide a wide linear range for detecting miR-21 with a very low detection limit in the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

[153]

SWNTs

Nanobiosensor

Exhibit broad detection range, low detection limit, and high specificity to only OPN during prostate cancer detection

[154]

MWNTs

Nanobiosensor

Achieve the simple detection of CDK1, and report the enzymatic activity of CDK1 for cancer diagnosis

[155]

MWNTs

Nanobiosensor

Possess high selectivity and sensitivity to HPV-18 for the early, rapid, easy, and accurate diagnosis of cervical cancer

[156]