Photothermal therapy as emerging combinatorial therapeutic approach

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising noninvasive treatment modality that involves the generation of local heat (hyperthermia) in response to externally applied laser light. This process leads to selective thermal ablation of cells in the treatment of different ailments, more specifically in cancer. PTT is a standalone treatment approach that has used in combination treatment modality with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and gene therapy to prevent off-target effects and prevent the development of resistant cell species. This chapter highlights the basic principle of photothermal treatment, along with the description of the sources of irradiation. Also, it includes a focused discussion on different photothermal agents used in the treatment of various diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, wound healing, and atherosclerosis. The challenges associated with PTT and the ongoing clinical trials are also expounded in this chapter.