Abstract
Background and Objective: Theranostics is the combination of the diagnostic and therapeutic phases. Here we focus on simultaneous use of photothermal therapy and magnetic resonance imaging, employing a contrast-photothermal agent that converts incident light into heat and affects the transverse relaxation time, a key magnetic resonance imaging parameter. Our work considers a gold–magnetite nanoshell platform to gauge the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging monitoring of the heating associated with phototherapy, by studying the modification of the transverse relaxation rate induced by laser illumination of a solution containing these hybrid nanoparticles. Methods:We simulate a system composed of an aqueous solution with hybrid nanoshells under continuous laser irradiation, enabling the evaluation of spatial variations of the transverse relaxation rate within the sample. We work with the hybrid nanoshell platform comprising a metal/gold shell for thermoplasmonic effects and a magnetite core for magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement. The optical properties of the nanoshells are first obtained through simulations using the finite element method. Next, the heating generated by the laser illumination is calculated by numerical integration. Finally, the transverse relaxation rate is obtained through the application of an analytical model. Additionally, we conduct an optimization of the nanoshell geometry to fulfill requirements of both magnetic resonance imaging and phototherapy techniques. Results:Our findings demonstrate a narrow range of nanoshell sizes exhibiting both a plasmonic absorption peak in the human biological window and a high response to laser illumination of the transverse relaxation rate. Furthermore, the illumination can induce up to a 30% modification in transverse relaxation rate compared to the non-illuminated scenario in this range of nanoshell sizes. Conclusions:In this work we establish the numerical understanding of the interplay between phototherapy and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging when employed concurrently. This allows magnetic resonance imaging monitoring of the heating associated with phototherapy.
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