<p>Nanoparticle-based drug delivery is a rapidly growing area for cancer therapeutics. Through surface functionalization, nanoparticles have been used for loading and release of different cargoes, including therapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic agents, which can further be applied for numerous biomedical applications. In the field of cancer therapy, the release of anticancer drugs through nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can be regulated by (a) endogenous stimuli like pH (b) exogenous stimuli like photothermal modulation, i.e., near-infrared (NIR) irradiation or through use of photocleavable linkers, etc. Although numerous research findings highlighting the nanoparticle-based drug delivery for cancer treatment are available, still there is a need for reviews on various types of photoresponsive nanoparticles involving photocleavable as well as photothermal multifunctional nanoparticle systems for combinational photo-chemo therapies. The current article highlights the combination of smart photoresponsive nanomaterials as drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, apart from currently ongoing clinical trials.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>