Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death around the world. Despite of great advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment

also known as cancer theranostics

treatment responses

however

are often impeded by heterogeneity and stealthiness of cancer. Recently

with the fast development of nanotechnology

nanomaterials exhibit great potential in cancer theranostics for their excellent physiochemical properties including tumor targeting

good biocompatibility and easy functionalization. Moreover

a wide variety of nano-drugs have been tested in clinical trials

and some of them have been approved for human use. In this review

we aimed to provide insights into the applications of nanomaterials for innovative cancer diagnosis as well as enhanced chemotherapy

 radiation therapy

phototherapy and immunotherapy of cancer. Additionally

we highlighted some examples and prospect for the further development of cancer nanotheranostics.