Overcoming therapeutic resistance in oncology: The prospects of inorganic nanotheranostics.

Cancer remains a leading cause of global mortality, with therapeutic resistance posing a formidable clinical obstacle. Inorganic nanotheranostics-multifunctional platforms integrating diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities-offer a promising strategy to overcome this barrier. This review systematically examines how distinct classes of inorganic nanomaterials (including iron, gadolinium, titanium, gold, manganese, carbon, and silicon-based systems) are engineered to counteract specific resistance mechanisms through unique physicochemical properties and biological interactions. We highlight their roles in enhancing drug delivery, modulating the tumor microenvironment, enabling precise imaging, and synergizing with various treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Advances in stimulus-responsive design, targeted delivery, and combinatorial therapies are discussed. Finally, we critically evaluate the translational challenges-including pharmacokinetics, long-term safety, and manufacturing scalability-and outline future directions toward clinically effective, personalized nanotheranostic interventions in oncology.