Zeqing Sun,1,2,* Yilai Sun,3,* Shuo Wang,2 Mengyao Li,2 Haoran Guo,4 Zhijie Xu,5 Ming Gao1,2,6 

1Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 4Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People’s Republic of China; 6Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Ming Gao, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China, Email minggao@rcees.ac.cn Zhijie Xu, Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People’s Republic of China, Email xzj1322007@csu.edu.cn

Abstract: DNA-based functional nanomaterials are distinguished by their structural designability and functional controllability, making them particularly attractive in the biomedical field. Using DNA nanomaterials for cancer treatment through synergistic approaches combining photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy has garnered significant attention. This growing interest has driven the active development of various DNA nanomaterials tailored for integrated strategies targeting cancer, including phototherapy, chemotherapy, etc. This review provides an overview of DNA nanoplatforms employed in phototherapy and synergistic therapy for cancer treatment. It highlights recent advances in DNA nanoplatforms that leverage multifaceted synergy to enhance phototherapeutic efficacy. It also offers a new perspectives and clinical application potential of DNA nanomaterials in synergistic phototherapy for malignant tumors, focusing on developments in recent years and potential directions for future research and applications.

Keywords: DNA nanomaterials, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, combination therapy