Despite its undoubted potential, recent studies have began to highlight the complex processes of photothermal therapy. In this perspective, we tackle several issues that affect current research on photothermal therapy, such as the influence of other factors produced in the process, for instance reactive oxygen species or vapor nanobubbles. After focusing on several of the aspects of photothermal therapy that need further clarification, we step back and see this therapy from a wider angle in order to identify its weaknesses. Finally, we briefly summarize what we consider should be the orientation and key focus of future researches in order to establish the full potential of this rapidly advancing and promising therapy.

This work was supported by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Scholarship Council (CSC) grants of the Ministry of Education People’s Republic of China; support also came from Fondo Social de la DGA (grupos DGA), Ministerio de la Economía y Competitividad del Gobierno de España for the public funding of Proyectos I+D+I - Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad (project n. SAF2014-54763-C2-2-R) and ERCPoC HOTFLOW (project 754609).

Peer reviewed