Progress in the integration of 3D printing technology with photothermal materials for osteosarcoma treatment

Osteosarcoma, a highly aggressive primary bone malignancy, presents poor prognosis in metastatic or recurrent cases, driving demand for innovative therapies. Photothermal therapy (PTT) emerges as a promising tumor ablation method due to its minimally invasive, selective nature. Combined with three-dimensional (3D)-printed scaffolds, PTT enables precise photothermal agent delivery and spatial alignment with laser irradiation, synergizing tumor eradication and bone repair. These customizable scaffolds adapt to bone defect morphology, offering antitumor activity, osteoinduction, and anti-inflammatory/antibacterial functions to mitigate postoperative complications. Though nascent, this multimodal approach holds significant therapeutic potential. This review introduces 3D-printed photothermal materials used in osteosarcoma treatment, including metallic and metal-derived photothermal materials, inorganic non-metallic photothermal materials, and polymer-based composite photothermal materials. It also discusses the 3D printing technologies applied to these materials, such as extrusion-based 3D printing and powder bed fusion 3D printing. The therapeutic effects of these materials are summarized from four dimensions: antitumor mechanisms, bone regeneration efficacy, and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions. By integrating existing research findings, this article aims to provide a theoretical basis and technical roadmap for developing intelligent scaffolds that combine precise tumor treatment with functional bone repair, thereby promoting innovative breakthroughs in comprehensive osteosarcoma treatment strategies.