Cancer Cell-Specific and Laser-Activatable NanoSeeds for Targeted Photothermal Ablation of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Abstract

This investigation reports the quality-by-design (QbD) assisted novel templated approach for developing cancer cell-specific and laser-activatable nanoseeds (AuraTherm) for targeted photothermal ablation of triple-negative breastcancer (TNBC). AuraTherm was nanometric in size as characterized by SEM, TEM and particle analysis (80.28 ± 2.56 nm; -21.80 ± 0.17 mV) with hemocompatibility and neutrality towards blood components. AuraTherm showed reversible photothermal effect (ΔT: 37 ± 1.2°C → 49.4 ± 1.5°C; 15 min; 2.4 W cm-2 ) employing near-infrared 808 nm laser (NIR-808). The targeted cytosolic localization led to a significant anticancer activity as evaluated using apoptosis assay, cell cycle analysis, Intracellular ROS generation assay, cellular uptake and receptor binding assay. The NIR-808 laser-responsive photothermal ablation of cancer cell was found to be more effective compared to without NIR-808 laser-treated counterparts, suggesting the fundamental role of photothermal ablation in the treatment of TNBC.