This edited volume explores innovative therapeutic approaches that utilize light-based technologies for precise spatial and temporal targeting of cancer cells. It focuses on modern, minimally invasive treatments such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), which offer high selectivity, reduced side effects, and enhanced effectiveness across a range of cancer types including breast, brain, lung, liver, and more. It presents a comprehensive overview of how external stimuli can be modulated to destroy tumors while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

Spatio-temporally controllable therapies are rapidly gaining attention due to their ability to deliver localized treatment with precise timing, minimizing systemic toxicity. These methods exploit photo-responsive agents that are activated by external energy sources, such as light, to produce therapeutic effects directly at the tumor site. The book delves into the fundamental mechanisms, design principles, and clinical advancements of photo-triggered modalities, as well as emerging combinations with other treatments like radiotherapy, sonotherapy, and magnetic-based interventions. With in-depth case studies and disease-specific chapters, it bridges the gap between research innovation and clinical application, emphasizing gliomas, pancreatic, and bladder cancers among others.

This book is an essential resource for oncologists, medical researchers, biomedical engineers, pharmaceutical scientists, and graduate students interested in cancer therapy innovation. It also serves as a reference for healthcare professionals seeking to understand and adopt targeted, next-generation cancer treatment strategies.

Dr. Bhupendra Gopalbhai Prajapati is Professor in the Research Cadre at the Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, and serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Thailand. With over 23 years of distinguished experience spanning academia, research, and industry, he has established himself as a leading expert in advanced drug delivery systems, particularly in lipid-based formulations, nano- and microparticulate carriers, and strategies for bioavailability enhancement. His research centered on nanotechnology-driven therapeutics, including polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, microneedle-based systems, mucoadhesive platforms, and AI-assisted formulation optimization for precision medicine. Dr. Prajapati has made significant interdisciplinary contributions bridging pharmaceutical sciences with biomedical and translational applications, and has been actively involved in numerous national and international research collaborations. He has edited 25 books, authored over 350 research and review articles in reputed SCI-indexed journals and contributed to more than 250 book chapters, along with several edited volumes in nanomedicine and advanced drug delivery. He is a dedicated mentor to Ph.D. and postgraduate scholars and plays a key role in academic leadership and research training.  Dr. Prajapati serves as an editor, section editor, and editorial board member for several international journals in pharmaceutical sciences.

Dr. Kapoor is currently serving as a Professor at Dr. Dayaram Patel Pharmacy College, Bardoli, District Surat, Gujarat. The institution is funded by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Government of Gujarat, and is affiliated with Gujarat Technological University.  He has been associated with the college since September 2010. He is alumnus of University of Rajasthan, Jaipur and Department of Pharmaceutics, BN College of Pharmacy, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2013. He has peer-reviewed manuscripts for approximately 190 prestigious journals from the reputed publishers. With over 20 years of experience in teaching and academic administration, he has published more than 200 research and review articles in reputed national and international journals. In addition to his editorial responsibilities. He has edited more than 20 books with International publishers. He has also contributed several book chapters published by renowned publishers. He fetched research and event organization grants from various government bodies including the Gujarat Council of Science & Technology (GUJCOST), Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), and AICTE-ATAL for national seminars and faculty development programs.

Dr. Krishnan Anand, Principal Investigator in Chemical Pathology, Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, South Africa. He leads the Precision Medicine Integrative Nano Diagnostics (P-MIND) Research Lab, which focuses on the biological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in synthetic biology. His research encompasses cell surface protein modification, biomarker discovery through EVs derived from liquid biopsies, and the role of circulating biomarkers in disease development and stem cell biology. Dr. Krishnan has authored over 150 articles and edited ten books published by Elsevier, Springer, and Wiley. He received the National Research Foundation (NRF) rating for Next Generation Researchers in South Africa. In the latest list published by Stanford University, Dr. Krishnan was named among the top 2% of the most influential scientists worldwide. He is an active member of the International Society of Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV), the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR). He recently served as an editor for eLife, focusing on the Africa region.