Nanotechnology has significantly advanced cancer therapy, particularly through the development of multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) capable of acting as both therapeutic and diagnostic agents. This review focuses on the synergistic integration of radiotherapy (RT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) mediated by engineered NPs—a rapidly evolving strategy that enhances tumor specificity, minimizes healthy tissue damage, and enables real-time imaging. By analyzing the recent literature, we highlight the dual role of NPs in amplifying radiation-induced DNA damage and converting near-infrared (NIR) light into localized thermal energy. The review classifies various metal-based and composite nanomaterials (e.g., Au, Pt, Bi, Cu, and Fe) and evaluates their performance in preclinical RT–PTT settings. We also discuss the physicochemical properties, targeting strategies, and theragnostic applications that contribute to treatment efficiency. Unlike conventional combinatorial therapies, NP-mediated RT–PTT enables high spatial–temporal control, immunogenic potential, and integration with multimodal imaging. We conclude with the current challenges, translational barriers, and outlooks for clinical implementation. This work provides a comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of NP-assisted RT–PTT as a powerful approach within the emerging field of nano-oncology.
纳米技术显著推动了癌症治疗的发展，尤其体现在能够同时作为治疗与诊断载体的多功能纳米颗粒（NPs）的研发上。本综述聚焦于通过工程化纳米颗粒介导的放射治疗（RT）与光热治疗（PTT）的协同整合——这一快速发展的策略能够增强肿瘤特异性、减少健康组织损伤并实现实时成像。通过分析近期文献，我们重点阐述了纳米颗粒在放大辐射诱导的DNA损伤以及将近红外（NIR）光转化为局部热能方面的双重作用。本文系统分类了多种金属基及复合纳米材料（如金、铂、铋、铜和铁基材料），并评估了它们在临床前RT–PTT研究中的表现。同时，我们探讨了影响治疗效率的物理化学性质、靶向策略及诊疗一体化应用。与传统联合疗法不同，纳米颗粒介导的RT–PTT能够实现高时空控制性、激发免疫原性潜力，并能与多模态成像技术相结合。最后，我们总结了当前面临的挑战、临床转化障碍及未来应用前景。本综述全面且及时地梳理了纳米颗粒辅助的RT–PTT策略，为这一新兴纳米肿瘤学领域提供了一种强有力的治疗范式。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家