Today, researchers have focused on the application of environmentally-benign and sustainable micro- and nanosystems for drug delivery and cancer therapy. Compared to conventional chemotherapeutics, advanced micro- and nanosystems designed by applying abundant, natural, and renewable feedstocks have shown biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity advantages. However, important aspects of toxicological assessments, clinical translational studies, and suitable functionalization/modification still need to be addressed. Herein, the benefits and challenges of green nanomedicine in cancer nanotherapy and targeted drug delivery are cogitated using nanomaterials designed by exploiting natural and renewable resources. The application of nanomaterials accessed from renewable natural resources, comprising metallic nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks, natural-derived nanomaterials, etc. for targeted anticancer drug delivery and cancer nanotherapy are deliberated, with emphasis on important limitations/challenges and future perspectives.

Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran 19857 17443 Iran; Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran 19857 17443 Iran

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Isfahan University of Medical Sciences 81746 73461 Isfahan Iran

Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute Palacký University in Olomouc Šlechtitelů 27 783 71 Olomouc Czech Republic

School of Engineering Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales 2109 Australia; Department of Materials Science and Engineering Pohang University of Science and Technology 77 Cheongam ro Nam gu Pohang Gyeongbuk 37673 South Korea

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