Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy: Leveraging the “Traditional” Light Induced Thermal Ablation (LITA) for Cancer Therapy

Photothermal Therapy (PTT) has emerged as a revolutionary, non-invasive oncological approach that utilizes photothermal agents (PTAs) to induce spatially controlled hyperthermia exclusively within diseased tissues under near-infrared light activation. However, selecting and synthesizing optimal PTAs remains a critical hurdle for clinical translation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in photothermal nanoparticles to highlight their relevance in improving laser-induced thermal ablation treatments. We classified and evaluated a wide range of nanomaterials, categorized into inorganic nanoparticles (gold-based, metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, cadmium compounds) and organic platforms (carbon-based, polymeric, and dye aggregates). This review provides a comparative analysis of these nano-objects, directly linking their synthesis parameters — such as cost and environmental impact — to their photothermal conversion efficiency, required laser power, and activation wavelengths. Additionally, it highlights their specific cancer-targeting capabilities, therapeutic mechanisms, and biocompatibility profiles. This work clarifies the structure-property relationships that govern nanoparticles performance in PTT. By critically evaluating current safety bottlenecks, toxicological challenges, and translation limitations, this review offers key insights to accelerate the development of safe, highly efficient, and clinically viable photothermal nanomedicines.