Nanophotothermal Agent, Multimodal, Synergistic Therapy

This Research Topic focuses on the innovative integration of photothermal therapy (PTT) with other therapeutic modalities using advanced nanoplatforms. We welcome research that explores the rational design of novel nanophotothermal agents (NPTAs) capable of synergizing with treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and gene therapy. The scope encompasses fundamental material science, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating synergistic efficacy, and the development of smart, stimuli-responsive systems for spatiotemporally controlled treatment. The ultimate goal is to highlight cutting-edge research in precision medicine that offers robust, multifunctional solutions for overcoming the limitations of conventional cancer therapies and other diseases.

The advent of nanophotothermal agents (NPTAs) has revolutionized photothermal therapy (PTT), offering a minimally invasive approach for ablating pathological tissues. However, the clinical translation of standalone PTT is often hampered by issues such as limited light penetration depth, heat resistance in tumor regions, and the risk of recurrence and metastasis. To overcome these challenges, the field is rapidly evolving toward multimodal synergistic therapies, where the localized hyperthermia generated by NPTAs is strategically leveraged to amplify the efficacy of a second—or even third—therapeutic modality.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to curate a comprehensive body of work that showcases the power and potential of these integrated approaches. We seek to highlight research that moves beyond simple co-delivery, focusing instead on true synergy. For instance, mild photothermal heating can enhance tumor perfusion and vascular permeability, thereby improving the delivery and efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs (chemo-PTT) or radiation (radio-PTT). Furthermore, PTT-induced immunogenic cell death can be powerfully combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors to transform a "cold" tumor into a "hot" one, activating a robust systemic anti-tumor immune response (immuno-PTT).

We will accept the following article types: Original Research, Review, Methods, and Perspective. Key themes include but are not limited to the following:

• Photothermal Therapy (PTT)
• Multimodal Therapy
• Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery
• Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Modulation
• Theranostics
• Nanophotothermal agents (NPTAs)