Abstract
Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a rapidly emerging non-invasive imaging technologythat integrates the merits of high optical contrast with high ultrasound resolution. Theability to quantitatively and non-invasively image nanoparticles has importantimplications for the development of nanoparticles as in vivo cancer diagnosticand therapeutic agents. In this study, the ability of systemically administeredpoly(ethylene glycol)-coated (PEGylated) gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent forin vivo tumor imaging with PAT has been evaluated. We demonstrate that goldnanoparticles (20 and 50 nm) have high photoacoustic contrast as compared tomouse tissue ex vivo. Gold nanoparticles can be visualized in mice in vivo followingsubcutaneous administration using PAT. Following intravenous administrationof PEGylated gold nanoparticles to tumor-bearing mice, accumulation of goldnanoparticles in tumors can be effectively imaged with PAT. With gold nanoparticles as acontrast agent, PAT has important potential applications in the image guidedtherapy of superficial tumors such as breast cancer, melanoma and Merkel cellcarcinoma.
Published Version
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