Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been widely studied for biomedical applications due to their excellent properties, including good biocompatibility, degradability, interlayer ion exchangeability, high loading capacity, pH-responsive release, and large specific surface area. Their structural flexibility and ease of surface modification allow for the development of functionalized LDHs suitable for various biomedical applications. This review discusses recent advances in LDHs for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, cancer diagnosis and therapy, tissue engineering, coatings, functional membranes, and biosensors. While LDHs show great potential, their clinical translation remains limited. The review also discusses current research limitations and provides an outlook on future research directions. LDHs are a class of layered materials with a general chemical formula of [M(II)₁₋ₓM(III)ₓ(OH)₂]ₓ⁺[Aⁿ⁻ₓ]mH₂O, where M(II) and M(III) are divalent and trivalent metal ions, and Aⁿ⁻ is the interlayer anion. They can be synthesized via co-precipitation, hydrothermal methods, or ion exchange. LDHs have been used in drug delivery, where their pH-responsive release and high loading capacity make them effective carriers for drugs, genes, and bioactive molecules. They are also used in cancer therapy, where their ability to release drugs in acidic tumor environments enhances therapeutic efficacy. LDHs can be functionalized for various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, coatings, and biosensors. Recent studies have focused on improving the drug loading and release mechanisms of LDHs, as well as their biocompatibility and stability. For example, LDH-based drug delivery systems have been developed for targeted drug release, with some studies showing high drug loading capacities and controlled release behaviors. LDHs have also been used in immunotherapy, where their layered structure and positive charge allow them to efficiently load antigens and interact with antigen-presenting cells, promoting immune responses. Additionally, LDHs have been used in magnetic core-shell hybrids for targeted drug delivery, where the magnetic properties of iron oxide cores enhance the targeting and controlled release of drugs. Despite their potential, challenges remain in the clinical translation of LDHs, including issues with drug release efficiency, biocompatibility, and stability. Future research should focus on optimizing LDHs for better performance in biomedical applications, including improving their drug loading capacity, enhancing their stability, and developing more effective methods for their synthesis and functionalization. The review highlights the current state of LDH research and provides insights into future directions for their application in biomedical fields.Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been widely studied for biomedical applications due to their excellent properties, including good biocompatibility, degradability, interlayer ion exchangeability, high loading capacity, pH-responsive release, and large specific surface area. Their structural flexibility and ease of surface modification allow for the development of functionalized LDHs suitable for various biomedical applications. This review discusses recent advances in LDHs for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, cancer diagnosis and therapy, tissue engineering, coatings, functional membranes, and biosensors. While LDHs show great potential, their clinical translation remains limited. The review also discusses current research limitations and provides an outlook on future research directions. LDHs are a class of layered materials with a general chemical formula of [M(II)₁₋ₓM(III)ₓ(OH)₂]ₓ⁺[Aⁿ⁻ₓ]mH₂O, where M(II) and M(III) are divalent and trivalent metal ions, and Aⁿ⁻ is the interlayer anion. They can be synthesized via co-precipitation, hydrothermal methods, or ion exchange. LDHs have been used in drug delivery, where their pH-responsive release and high loading capacity make them effective carriers for drugs, genes, and bioactive molecules. They are also used in cancer therapy, where their ability to release drugs in acidic tumor environments enhances therapeutic efficacy. LDHs can be functionalized for various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, coatings, and biosensors. Recent studies have focused on improving the drug loading and release mechanisms of LDHs, as well as their biocompatibility and stability. For example, LDH-based drug delivery systems have been developed for targeted drug release, with some studies showing high drug loading capacities and controlled release behaviors. LDHs have also been used in immunotherapy, where their layered structure and positive charge allow them to efficiently load antigens and interact with antigen-presenting cells, promoting immune responses. Additionally, LDHs have been used in magnetic core-shell hybrids for targeted drug delivery, where the magnetic properties of iron oxide cores enhance the targeting and controlled release of drugs. Despite their potential, challenges remain in the clinical translation of LDHs, including issues with drug release efficiency, biocompatibility, and stability. Future research should focus on optimizing LDHs for better performance in biomedical applications, including improving their drug loading capacity, enhancing their stability, and developing more effective methods for their synthesis and functionalization. The review highlights the current state of LDH research and provides insights into future directions for their application in biomedical fields.