Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown significant advantages in tumor treatment due to its minimally invasive nature, low toxicity, and high selectivity. This article systematically reviews the research progress of organic photosensitizers (PSs) used in tumor PDT in recent years, and classifies them into six major categories based on chemical structure: porphyrins, chlorins, phthalocyanines, fused quinones, phenothiazines, and BODIPYs. It focuses on the innovative applications of various PSs in molecular design optimization, regulation of photophysical properties, nanonization strategies, and multimodal synergistic therapy. Strategies such as targeted delivery, microenvironment modulation (e.g., hypoxia alleviation, GSH depletion, pH responsiveness), and Type I photodynamic mechanisms have significantly enhanced PDT efficacy. Combined with two-photon excitation, NIR-II window absorption, and imaging guidance, the tissue penetration and treatment precision of PSs have been improved, providing a systematic reference for the development of efficient and low-toxicity tumor PDT strategies.

Ocular nanomedicines for precise targeted delivery and controlled release in clinical application have expanded. However, developing materials that harmonize with biomechanical properties of various anatomical regions in the eye remains neglected. For instance, biomaterials engineered to mimic the cornea’s biomechanical and optical properties can achieve superior integration with ocular surface structures, thereby reducing corneal trauma and extending nanomaterial persistence. Beyond the corneal surface, biomechanically optimized strategies that consider the viscoelasticity and structural integrity of the retina and choroid can significantly improve intraocular drug delivery. Nanomaterials with dynamic biomechanical responsiveness, such as intraocular pressure (IOP)-sensitive behavior, enable controlled drug release and enhance therapeutic efficacy in glaucoma management. Notably, nanomaterials with mechanical stiffness compatible with ocular biomechanics can preserve tissue integrity, stabilize the globe structure, and mitigate trauma-related complications. This review synthesizes current understanding of the biomechanical properties of ocular tissues and provides structural perspectives to inform the development of next-generation nanomaterials for ophthalmic use. We envision that these insights will foster translational innovation and advance biomechanically informed strategies in ocular nanomedicine.

The term biomaterial is widely used to describe materials associated with biological systems, but often fails to distinguish whether a material merely exists within a biological environment or actively participates in regulating biological processes. This ambiguity has created a subtle conceptual gap, making it difficult to distinguish passive materials from those deliberately engineered to trigger biological responses. This Editorial addresses this gap by introducing a foundational framework for defining and classifying biofunctional materials. Accordingly, biofunctional materials are defined as deliberately engineered material systems designed to engage biological environments and produce measurable and reproducible biological outcomes. To conceptualize this concept, biofunctionality is defined and described as a multidimensional continuum governed by four foundational pillars including structural, physicochemical, biological signaling, and adaptive functionality. Together, these pillars form a conceptual biofunctionality landscape, enabling materials to be interpreted according to the maturity of their functional mechanisms and the degree of integration across domains. By clarifying the distinction between passive biomaterials and actively biofunctional systems, this framework aims to provide a milestone, thereby to support clearer terminology, more rigorous evaluation, and more rational design of materials that decisively interact with living systems.