Advances in nanoparticles-based approaches in cancer theranostics

•Nanoparticles (NPs) can be used in cancer nanomedicine due to their nano-size and higher EPR effects.•NPs are classified in several classes based on biocompatible with targeting efficiency.•NPs can target cancer biomarkers and used as contrast agent in cancer imaging resulting in early cancer diagnosis.•Finally, we give an outlook on use of biocompatible NPs for chemotherapy, phototherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy to kill cancer cells.