Vapreotide acetate (Vap) was used as a biotemplate to synthesize silver nanocages through direct co-incubation of a AgNO3 solution, following by reduction using fresh NaBH4. The characterized vapreotide-templated silver nanocages (Vap-AgNCs) presented a wide and red shifted absorption band with a maximum between 480 nm and 800 nm and possessed a uniform structure with a face-centered cubic crystal structure. The biocompatibility of Vap-AgNCs was assessed using the MTT method, indicating Vap-AgNCs had better biocompatibility when its concentration was lower than 2.5 x 10(-4) mmol.L-1. The photothermal characteristics of Vap-AgNCs were analyzed with laser irradiation (808 nm, 1.5 W.cm(-2)) and the results showed that the temperature of the Vap-AgNCs solution reached 45 degrees C starting from 25 degrees C within 5 min. Additionally, Vap-AgNCs with a laser led to HeLa cell death. Therefore, the prepared Vap-AgNCs is expected to be an effective photothermal therapy agent. (C) 2017 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.