Radiotherapy, where ionizing radiation is locally delivered either through an external beam or by surgically implanting radionuclide-based seeds in the tumor, is one of the gold standard treatments for cancer. Due to the non-selective nature of radiation, healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous region is usually affected by the treatment. Hence, new strategies, including targeted alpha therapy, are being studied to improve the selectivity of the treatment and minimize side effects. Several challenges, however, limit the current development of targeted radiotherapy, such as the functionalization of the therapeutic agent with targeting vectors and controlling the release of recoiling daughters. Nanoparticles offer unique opportunities as drug delivery vehicles, since they are biocompatible, enhance the cellular uptake of drugs, and are easily functionalized with targeting molecules. In this review, we examine how nanoparticles can be used for targeted radiotherapy, either as sensitizers of external beams or as delivery vehicles for therapeutic radionuclides. We describe the clinical relevance of different types of nanoparticles, followed by an analysis of how these nanoconstructs can solve some of the main limitations of conventional radiotherapy. Finally, we critically discuss the current situation of nanoparticle-based radiotherapy in clinical settings and challenges that need to be overcome in the future for further development of the field.

放射疗法是通过黄金将外照射或通过手术将基于放射性核素的种子局部植入肿瘤中而局部递送的放射疗法，是治疗癌症的金标准疗法之一。由于辐射的非选择性性质，癌区周围的健康组织通常会受到治疗的影响。因此，正在研究包括靶向α疗法在内的新策略以改善治疗的选择性并使副作用最小化。然而，一些挑战限制了靶向放射治疗的当前发展，例如治疗药物与靶向载体的功能化以及控制后座子的释放。纳米粒子具有生物相容性，可以增强药物对细胞的吸收，并易于通过靶向分子进行功能化。在这篇综述中，我们研究了纳米粒子如何用作靶向放射疗法，既可以用作外部束的敏化剂，又可以用作治疗性放射性核素的传递载体。我们描述了不同类型的纳米粒子的临床相关性，然后分析了这些纳米结构如何解决常规放射疗法的一些主要局限性。最后，我们批判性地讨论了基于纳米粒子的放射疗法在临床环境中的现状以及今后为该领域的进一步发展需要克服的挑战。我们描述了不同类型的纳米颗粒的临床相关性，然后分析了这些纳米结构如何解决传统放射疗法的一些主要局限性。最后，我们批判性地讨论了基于纳米粒子的放射治疗在临床环境中的现状以及今后为该领域的进一步发展需要克服的挑战。我们描述了不同类型的纳米粒子的临床相关性，然后分析了这些纳米结构如何解决常规放射疗法的一些主要局限性。最后，我们批判性地讨论了基于纳米粒子的放射疗法在临床环境中的现状以及今后为该领域的进一步发展需要克服的挑战。