Nanoparticles-based phototherapy systems for cancer treatment: Current status and clinical potential

• Published in: Bioactive materials 2023-05, Vol.23, p.471-507
• Main Authors: Li, Jiachen, Wang, Shiqi, Fontana, Flavia, Tapeinos, Christos, Shahbazi, Mohammad-Ali, Han, Huijie, Santos, Hélder A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Clinical potential; Nanoparticles; Phototherapy; Review; Therapeutic effect
• ISSN: 2452-199X; 2452-199X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.11.013

Remarkable progress in phototherapy has been made in recent decades, due to its non-invasiveness and instant therapeutic efficacy. In addition, with the rapid development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, phototherapy systems based on nanoparticles or nanocomposites also evolved as an emerging hotspot in nanomedicine research, especially in cancer. In this review, first we briefly introduce the history of phototherapy, and the mechanisms of phototherapy in cancer treatment. Then, we summarize the representative development over the past three to five years in nanoparticle-based phototherapy and highlight the design of the innovative nanoparticles thereof. Finally, we discuss the feasibility and the potential of the nanoparticle-based phototherapy systems in clinical anticancer therapeutic applications, aiming to predict future research directions in this field. Our review is a tutorial work, aiming at providing useful insights to researchers in the field of nanotechnology, nanoscience and cancer. [Display omitted] •The history and mechanisms of cancer phototherapy are introduced.•Recent representative nanoparticle-based cancer phototherapy studies are reviewed.•Innovative nanoparticles designs for the cancer photothermal and cancer photodynamic therapy are highlighted.•Excellent therapeutic effect of the combinatory cancer therapy based on the cancer phototherapy nanosystems are highlighted.•Feasibility and potential clinical applications of nanoparticle-based cancer phototherapy nanosystems.