Because of their intrinsic physiochemical and biological properties together with essential role in living organism, copper (Cu) and Cu-based nanomaterials have garnered widespread attention in recent years for their vital functions in a variety of diseases, particularly cancer treatment. Meanwhile, significant and emerging nanotechnologies greatly facilitate the fabrication of Cu-based nanomaterials with intriguing therapeutic properties for nanomedicine, which building a “Cu Age”. Given the rapid advancement of Cu and Cu-based nanomaterials in the field of cancer treatment, the purpose of this review is to survey, summarize, highlight, and discuss the current state-of-the-art situations, benefits and challenges, and potential therapeutic applications of Cu and Cu-based nanomaterials, including Cu metabolism and homeostasis, targeting Cu therapy via Cu chelators and ionophores, TME-responsive therapy, tumor imaging, chemodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, drug delivery system, and cuproptosis-related therapy. The biocompatibility of Cu-based nanomaterials is also discussed, as well as future prospects for clinical application in the field of cancer treatment in the near future.

由于其固有的理化和生物学特性以及在生物体中的重要作用，铜 (Cu) 和铜基纳米材料近年来因其在多种疾病（尤其是癌症治疗）中的重要功能而受到广泛关注。同时，重要的和新兴的纳米技术极大地促进了具有有趣的纳米医学治疗特性的铜基纳米材料的制造，从而建立了“铜时代”。鉴于 Cu 和 Cu 基纳米材料在癌症治疗领域的快速发展，本综述的目的是调查、总结、突出和讨论当前最先进的情况、益处和挑战以及潜力Cu 和 Cu 基纳米材料的治疗应用，包括 Cu 代谢和体内平衡，通过铜螯合剂和离子载体靶向铜疗法、TME 反应疗法、肿瘤成像、化学动力学疗法、光热疗法、光动力疗法、药物递送系统和铜凋亡相关疗法。还讨论了铜基纳米材料的生物相容性，以及在不久的将来在癌症治疗领域的临床应用前景。