Silk Protein-Based Materials for Photothermal Therapy: From Morphologies to Multifunctional Applications

Noninvasive photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising cancer treatment in recent years due to its numerous benefits, including low toxicity, precise targeting, high efficiency, and low cost. Silk, a natural biomaterial known for its exceptional mechanical stability, biocompatibility, controlled degradability, and functionalization modification, shows a significant value in PTT research. This review briefly summarizes the physicochemical properties of silk protein. It focuses on various morphologies of silk protein used in PTT, such as hydrogels, scaffolds, and films loaded with photothermal agents. Additionally, it explores innovative applications of silk protein in PTT, including controlled drug delivery and release, antimicrobial therapy, wound healing, and the development of multimodal synergistic therapeutic platforms. Finally, the review concludes the advantages and challenges of using silk protein in PTT and discusses prospects for silk-based PTT materials.