Multimodal photothermal therapy for gynecologic neoplasms: Clinical development and potential

The graphic abstract illustrates: (a) the theoretical basis of hyperthermia, (b) biological characteristics of gynecological cancers and (c) advanced multimodal therapeutic integration incorporating photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, and immunomodulation strategies. • A comprehensive overview of multimodal photothermal therapy (PTT) in gynecologic malignancies. • Mechanistic insights linking photothermal conversion, tumor vasculature, and hypoxia remodeling. • Integration of PTT with chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy enhances efficacy. • Key translational barriers and clinical prospects are summarized to guide future clinical deployment. Gynecologic cancers (ovarian, cervical, endometrial) remain hard to treat. This is partly due to where they are located in the body, changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) driven by interleukin-6 (IL-6) that help them resist treatment, and ways they avoid the immune system. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is developing into a versatile precision cancer treatment. Advanced nanoparticle systems now allow precise heating that can destroy oxygen-starved tumor areas while also triggering heat-activated drug release. This represents a major advance over the limitations seen with traditional chemotherapy delivered into the abdomen for these cancers. This review carefully explains: (i) Theoretical underpinnings; (ii) Integration of photothermal therapy with complementary treatment modalities; (iii) Photothermal therapeutic strategies in gynecologic malignancies; (iv) Clinical translation of photothermal therapy, and (v) Current advances and translational barriers.