Photothermal nanomaterials-based scaffolds for tissue regeneration and cancer therapy

Recently, photothermal therapy (PTT) has been considered a promising method for cancer treatment with fewer serious side effects compared to conventional radiation, chemotherapy and surgical resection. PTT is based on the photoconversion ability of photothermal agents (PTAs) as well as utilizes various nanomaterials (NMs) owing to their excellent photothermal properties. PTAs can penetrate tumor tissue, reduce local and systemic damage, and can be easily controlled. PTA-based composite scaffolds stimulate tissue reconstruction as well as regeneration following ablation of cancer cells, combining the advantages of photothermal NMs for maximum therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects. Recently, hybrid PTAs as well as 3-dimensional scaffolds are being developed to maximize therapeutic efficacy along with minimal adverse effects, which make these composite scaffolds promising for biomedical applications. This review focuses on a detailed discussion on topics such as PTAs (i.e., organic polymer-based PTAs and inorganic PTAs) and PTT-mediated scaffolds for tissue regeneration such as PTA-based scaffolds, carbon NMs-based scaffolds, and gold NMs scaffolds, copper NMs-based scaffolds, iron NMs-based scaffolds, black phosphorus (BP)-based scaffolds, MXenes-based scaffolds and PTT-mediated scaffolds in cancer therapy. • Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising tissue regeneration and cancer treatment method. • Researchers are interested in the potential of PTT to balance near-infrared (NIR)-based effects and toxicity in tumor therapy. • Composite scaffolds made of photothermal nanomaterials exhibit excellent efficacy. • Photothermal agents (PTAs) can penetrate tumor tissue and reduce local and systemic damage. • PTA-based composite scaffolds promote tissue regeneration after ablation of cancer cells