 Metal-based nanomaterials have unique biological, physical, and chemical properties that make them useful in cancer treatments. They can modulate T-cell receptors' activation, regulate stem cell differentiation, activate the sting pathway, induce tumor faroptosis, enhance catalytic therapy, and improve immunotherapy. The review focuses on five aspects of metal-enhanced radiotherapy sensitization, metal-enhanced catalytic therapy, metal-enhanced faroptosis, metal-enhanced pyroptosis, and metal-enhanced immunotherapy. However, the biological effects of metal-based nanomaterials and tumor therapy have limitations, and future research directions are needed to improve their efficacy and safety. This article was authored by Huali Lei, Zifan Pei, Chen Yu-jian, and others.