Precision oncology with nanozymes: multifunctional platforms for targeted tumor treatment

Precision oncology aims to tailor cancer treatment according to molecular, microenvironmental, and patient-specific characteristics; however, therapeutic resistance, tumor heterogeneity, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) remain major clinical challenges. Nanozymes, engineered nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic activities, have emerged as promising multifunctional platforms capable of overcoming these limitations. This review highlights the role of nanozymes in precision oncology, focusing on their catalytic mechanisms, material classes, synthesis strategies, and tumor-responsive therapeutic applications. Nanozymes derived from metals, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, and metal–organic frameworks exhibit diverse enzyme-mimicking activities, including peroxidase, oxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase-like functions, enabling controlled modulation of reactive oxygen species and redox homeostasis within tumors. Through structural engineering, surface functionalization, and biomimetic modification, nanozymes can be tailored for targeted drug delivery, catalytic therapy, and multimodal theranostic applications. These platforms effectively interact with tumor microenvironmental features such as acidic pH, hypoxia, elevated hydrogen peroxide, and glutathione imbalance to enhance therapeutic selectivity. Furthermore, nanozyme-based systems can integrate multiple treatment modalities, including chemodynamic, photothermal, photodynamic, and immunotherapy, to achieve synergistic antitumor effects. Despite significant progress, challenges related to biosafety, large-scale manufacturing, and clinical translation remain. Overall, nanozyme-enabled catalytic nanomedicine represents a promising strategy for next-generation precision oncology and personalized cancer therapy.