Photothermal Ablation Of Cancer Cells Research Articles

Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Organic Nanoagent with High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for Near-Infrared Imaging-Guided Tumor Photothermal Therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) provides a great prospect for noninvasive cancer therapy. However, it is still highly challenging to construct photothermal agents (PTAs) with the desired performances for imaging-guided PTT applications. Herein, a D-A-D-type naphthalene diamine (NDI)-based photothermal nano-PTAs NDS-BPN NP with near-infrared region (NIR) emission at 822 nm, aggregation-induced emission (AIE), high photothermal conversion efficiency (55.05%), and excellent photothermal stability is successfully designed and prepared through a simple two-step engineering method by using a new AIE molecule NDS-BPN and DSPE-PEG2000 as precursors. The prepared PTT nanoagents NDS-BPN NPs have been further applied for efficient photothermal ablation of cancer cells in vitro and also achieved the NIR fluorescent image-guided PTT tumor therapy in vivo with satisfactory results. We believe that this work provides an attractive NIR AIE NDI-based nano-PTA for the phototherapy of tumors as well as develops the construction strategy of NDI molecular-based photothermal nanoagents with desired performances for imaging-guided PTT.

Targeted co-delivery of curcumin and erlotinib by MoS2 nanosheets for the combination of synergetic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy of lung cancer

BackgroundCurcumin (Cur), a bioactive component of Chinese traditional medicine, has demonstrated inhibitory properties against cancer cell proliferation while synergistically enhancing the anticancer efficacy of erlotinib (Er). However, the individual limitations of both drugs, including poor aqueous solubility, lack of targeting ability, short half-life, etc., and their distinct pharmacokinetic profiles mitigate or eliminate their combined antitumor potential.ResultsIn this study, we developed a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based delivery system, functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and biotin, and co-loaded with Cur and Er, to achieve efficient cancer therapy. The MoS2-PEG-Biotin-Cur/Er system effectively converted near-infrared (NIR) light into heat, thereby inducing direct photothermal ablation of cancer cells and promoting controlled release of Cur and Er. Biotin-mediated tumor targeting facilitated the selective accumulation of MoS2-PEG-Biotin-Cur/Er at the tumor site, thus enhancing the synergistic antitumor effects of Cur and Er. Remarkably, MoS2-PEG-Biotin-Cur/Er achieved the combination of synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy (PTT) upon NIR irradiation, effectively suppressing lung cancer cell proliferation and inhabiting tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionsThe as-synthesized MoS2-PEG-Biotin-Cur/Er, featuring high targeting ability, NIR light-responsive drug release, and the integration of synergistic chemotherapy and PTT, may provide a promising strategy for the treatment of lung cancer in clinical practice.Graphical

Selenium-integrated conjugated oligomer nanoparticles with high photothermal conversion efficiency for NIR-II imaging-guided cancer phototheranostics in vivo

Second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging in the range of 1000–1700 nm has great prospects for in vivo imaging and theranostics monitoring. At present, few NIR-II probes with theranostics properties have been developed, especially the high-performance organic theranostics material remains underexploited. Herein, we demonstrate a selenium (Se)-tailoring method to develop high-efficient NIR-II imaging-guided material for in vivo cancer phototheranostics. Via Se-tailoring strategy, conjugated oligomer TPSe-based nanoparticles (TPSe NPs) achieve bright NIR-II emission up to 1400 nm and exhibit a relatively high photothermal conversion efficiency of 60% with good stability. Moreover, the TPSe NPs demonstrate their photothermal ablation of cancer cells in vitro and tumor in vivo with the guidance of NIR-II imaging. It is worth noting that the TPSe NPs have good biocompatibility without obvious side effects. Thus, this work provides new insight into the development of NIR-II theranostics agents.

Optoresponsive Pheophorbide-Silver based organometallic nanomaterials for high efficacy multimodal theranostics in Melanoma

Opto/light-responsive materials are a choice in modern-days due to their vital role in non-invasive cancer therapies and diagnostics. We propose a novel, near-infrared (NIR) light absorbing organometallic nanosystem for the multimodal theranostics against melanoma. More specifically, a fluorescent organic molecule, Pheophorbide-a (Ph-a) was loaded on the NIR light absorbing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The resulting formulation was referred to as PhAg NPs. The organic entity serves as a chemotherapeutic and imaging agent whereas the metallic system aid in the photothermal ablation of cancer cells. The PhAg NPs upon characterisation indicated a strong absorption in the NIR region and exhibited a robust photothermal profile upon exposure to the NIR light. The anti-cancer efficacy studies of the PhAg NPs were conducted in melanoma (in-vitro & in-vivo) models to understand the chemo/photothermal therapeutic effect. Our experimental results demonstrated a synergistic cytotoxic and tumor reduction effect due to the photothermal and chemotherapeutic potential of the PhAg NPs. Further photoacoustic (PA) and fluorescent imaging indicated that the PhAg NPs could serve as efficient non-invasive imaging probes due to their inherent NIR fluorescence properties. Overall, the PhAg NPs served as a unique organometallic system which had demonstrated its efficacy as a multimodal theranostic agent. Further in-depth understanding of the proposed organometallic nanoparticles (PhAg NPs) can be beneficial in their clinical translation against melanoma or similar tumors.

Au nanoparticles decorated nanographene oxide-based platform: Synthesis, functionalization and assessment of photothermal activity

A novel hybrid nanocomposite formed of carboxylated Nano Graphene Oxide (c-NGO), highly densely decorated by monodisperse citrate-coated Au nanoparticles (c-NGO/Au NPs), is synthesized and thoroughly characterized for photothermal applications. A systematic investigation of the role played by the synthetic parameters on the Au NPs decoration of the c-NGO platform is performed, comprehensively studying spectroscopic and morphological characteristics of the achieved nanostructures, thus elucidating their still not univocally explained synthesis mechanism.Remarkably, the Au NPs coating density of the c-NGO sheets is much higher than state-of-the-art systems with analogous composition prepared with different approaches, along with a higher NPs size dispersion. A novel theoretical approach for estimating the average number of NPs per sheet, combining DLS and TEM results, is developed. The assessment of the c-NGO/Au NPs photothermal activity is performed under continuous wave (CW) laser irradiation, at 532 nm and 800 nm, before and after functionalization with PEG-SH. c-NGO/Au NPs composite behaves as efficient photothermal agent, with a light into heat conversion ability higher than that of the single components. The c-NGO/Au NPs compatibility for photothermal therapy is assessed by in vitro cell viability tests, which show no significant effects of c-NGO/Au NPs, as neat and PEGylated, on cell metabolic activity under the investigated conditions. These results demonstrate the great potential held by the prepared hybrid nanocomposite for photothermal conversion technologies, indicating it as particularly promising platform for photothermal ablation of cancer cells.

MoSBOTs: Magnetically Driven Biotemplated MoS2 -Based Microrobots for Biomedical Applications.

2D layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) nanomaterials are a promising platformfor biomedical applications, particularly due to its high biocompatibility characteristics, mechanical and electrical properties, and flexible functionalization. Additionally, the bandgap of MoS2 can be engineered to absorb light over a wide range of wavelengths, which can then be transformed into local heat for applications in photothermal tissue ablation and regeneration. However, limitations such as poor stability of aqueous dispersions and low accumulation in affected tissues impair the full realization of MoS2 for biomedical applications. To overcome such challenges, herein, multifunctional MoS2 -based magnetic helical microrobots (MoSBOTs) using cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis are proposed as biotemplate for therapeutic and biorecognition applications. The cytocompatible microrobots combine remote magnetic navigation with MoS2 photothermal activity under near-infrared irradiation. The resulting photoabsorbent features of the MoSBOTs are exploited for targeted photothermal ablation of cancer cells and on-the-fly biorecognition in minimally invasive oncotherapy applications. The proposed multi-therapeutic MoSBOTs hold considerable potential for a myriad of cancer treatment and diagnostic-related applications, circumventing current challenges of ablative procedures.

Preparation of composite scaffolds composed of gelatin and Au nanostar-deposited black phosphorus nanosheets for the photothermal ablation of cancer cells and adipogenic differentiation of stem cells.

Photothermal nanoparticles are important in photothermal therapy. Combining different nanoparticles can achieve a high photothermal capacity. In this study, composite nanoparticles composed of black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) and gold nanostars (BP-AuNSs) were synthesized by using BPNSs as the reductant. AuNSs were deposited on the BPNSs. The BP-AuNSs were further hybridized with porous gelatin scaffolds to prepare gelatin-BP-AuNS composite scaffolds. The gelatin-BP-AuNS composite scaffolds promoted cell migration and distribution. The synergistic effects of the BPNSs and AuNSs endowed the gelatin-BP-AuNS composite scaffolds with excellent photothermal properties. The gelatin-BP-AuNS composite scaffolds eliminated cancer cells after near infrared laser exposure and supported the adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Thus, this gelatin-BP-AuNS composite scaffold holds promise for breast cancer therapy.

PLGA-collagen-BPNS Bifunctional composite mesh for photothermal therapy of melanoma and skin tissue engineering.

The treatment of melanoma requires not only the elimination of skin cancer cells but also skin regeneration to heal defects. To achieve this goal, a bifunctional composite scaffold of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), collagen and black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) was prepared by hybridizing a BPNS-embedded collagen sponge with a PLGA knitted mesh. The composite mesh increased the temperature under near-infrared laser irradiation. The incorporation of BPNSs provided the PLGA-collagen-BPNS composite mesh with excellent photothermal properties for the photothermal ablation of melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. The PLGA-collagen-BPNS composite mesh had high mechanical strength for easy handling. The PLGA-collagen-BPNS composite mesh facilitated the proliferation of fibroblasts, promoted the expression of angiogenesis-related genes and the genes of components of the extracellular matrix for skin tissue regeneration. The high mechanical strength, photothermal ablation capability and skin tissue regeneration effects demonstrate that the bifunctional PLGA-collagen-BPNS composite mesh is a versatile and effective platform for the treatment of melanoma and the regeneration of skin defects.

Gelatin-mediated coprecipitation synthesis of copper sulfide nanoparticles for photothermal ablation of cancer cells

Gelatin-mediated coprecipitation synthesis of copper sulfide nanoparticles for photothermal ablation of cancer cells

Multimodal Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for Dual Stimuli-Responsive Drug Release and Excellent Photothermal Ablation of Cancer Cells.

BackgroundCore-shell types of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with multimodal functionalities were developed for bio-imaging, controlled drug release associated with external pH, and near-infrared radiation (NIR) stimuli, and targeted and effective chemo-photothermal therapeutics.Materials and MethodsWe synthesized and developed a core-shell type of mesoporous silica nanocarriers for fluorescent imaging, stimuli-responsive drug release, magnetic separation, antibody targeting, and chemo-photothermal therapeutics. Also, the biocompatibility, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and photothermal therapy on these FS3-based nanocarriers were systematically investigated.ResultsMagnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles was prepared by coating a Fe3O4 core with a mesoporous silica shell, followed by grafting with fluorescent conjugates, so-called FS3. The resulting FM3 was preloaded with therapeutic cisplatin and coated with polydopamine layer, so-called FS3P/C. Eventually, graphene oxide-wrapped FS3P/C (FS3P-G/C) exhibited high sensitivity in the dual stimuli (pH, NIR)-responsive controlled release behavior. On the other hand, Au NPs-coated FS3P/C (FS3P-A/C) exhibited more stable release behavior, irrespective of pH changes, and exhibited much more enhanced release rate under the same NIR irradiation. Notably, FS3P-A/C showed strong NIR absorption, enabling photothermal destruction of HeLa cells by its chemo-photothermal therapeutic effects under NIR irradiation (808 nm, 1.5 W/cm2). The selective uptake of FS3-based nanocarriers was confirmed in cancer cell lines including HeLa (American Type Culture Collection - ATCC) and SHSY5Y (ATCC 2266) by the images obtained from confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy instruments. Cisplatin-free FS3-based nanocarriers revealed good cellular uptake and low cytotoxicity against cancerous HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells, but showed no obvious toxicity to normal HEK293 (ATCC 1573) cell.ConclusionAlong with the facile synthesis of FS3-based nanocarriers, the integration of all these strategies into one single unit will be a prospective candidate for biomedical applications, especially in chemo-photothermal therapeutics, targeted delivery, and stimuli-responsive controlled drug release against multiple cancer cell types.

Polydopamine-Mesoporous Silica Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Combined Photothermal Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy involves a cascade of events that ultimately leads to cytotoxic immune cells effectively identifying and destroying cancer cells. Responsive nanomaterials, which enable spatiotemporal orchestration of various immunological events for mounting a highly potent and long-lasting antitumor immune response, are an attractive platform to overcome challenges associated with existing cancer immunotherapies. Here, we report a multifunctional near-infrared (NIR)-responsive core-shell nanoparticle, which enables (i) photothermal ablation of cancer cells for generating tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and (ii) triggered release of an immunomodulatory drug (gardiquimod) for starting a series of immunological events. The core of these nanostructures is composed of a polydopamine nanoparticle, which serves as a photothermal agent, and the shell is made of mesoporous silica, which serves as a drug carrier. We employed a phase-change material as a gatekeeper to achieve concurrent release of both TAA and adjuvant, thus efficiently activating the antigen-presenting cells. Photothermal immunotherapy enabled by these nanostructures resulted in regression of primary tumor and significantly improved inhibition of secondary tumor in a mouse melanoma model. These biocompatible, biodegradable, and NIR-responsive core-shell nanostructures simultaneously deliver payload and cause photothermal ablation of the cancer cells. Our results demonstrate potential of responsive nanomaterials in generating highly synergistic photothermal immunotherapeutic response.

PEGylation of graphene/iron oxide nanocomposite: assessment of release of doxorubicin, magnetically targeted drug delivery and photothermal therapy

Scientists have recommended to investigate graphene and graphene base compounds for their potential uses in a variety of fields, such as biomedicine and drug release. A PEGylated and functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (MG–NH2–PEG) complex was used herein as a nanocarrier of Doxorubicin, a cancer chemotherapy drug. First, graphene oxide was synthesized by modified Hummer’s method and then functionalized with amine groups (G–NH2). Afterwards, solvothermal of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles on G–NH2 to prepare magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) modified by MG–NH2 via covalent bindings for the synthesis of MG–NH2–PEG. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto MG–NH2–PEG at pH 7 by the use of π–π interactions, yielding a highly significant value of DOX's loading efficiency along with its loading content. In vitro cytotoxicity tests on MCF-7 cells line were carried out for MG–NH2–PEG: DOX according to the drug loading and release characteristics. The results of standard MTT assay for the toxicity determination of both synthetic nanocomposites and the drug revealed over 85% of surviving cells after 48 h, with a cellular uptake of > 80%, suggesting a satisfactory outcome on the non-toxicity of the nanocomposite. It can, therefore, be concluded that MG–NH2–PEG showed to be an effective drug carrier in cancer chemotherapy drug delivery through loading the above drugs of low medicinal properties with individual dependency on pH levels. Furthermore, MG–NH2–PEG represent strong optical absorbance from the visible to the near-infrared (NIR) region, and can be utilized for localized photothermal ablation of cancer cells guided by the magnetic field.

Facile synthesis of polypyrrole-rhodamine B nanoparticles for self-monitored photothermal therapy of cancer cells.

Photothermal therapy following microscopic temperature detection can avoid overheating effects or insufficient heating, and thus improve therapeutic efficacy. In this study, biocompatible dual-functional nanoparticles (NPs) are constructed from polypyrrole (PPy) and rhodamine B (RB) by a one-step modified polymerization method. The polypyrrole serves as a photothemal agent, and rhodamine B acts as a temperature-sensing probe. The polypyrrole-rhodamine B (PPy-RB) NPs possess a high photothermal effect on irradiation by 808 nm laser, and a competent temperature sensitivity for the real-time temperature monitoring based on the emission intensity response of rhodamine B. After acting on HepG2 cells, the PPy-RB NPs can effectively induce cancer cell death, and the microscopic temperature is monitored by fluorescence feedback from rhodamine B during PTT by laser confocal microscopy. Hence, the proposed approach can supply a facile and promising way for the fabrication of effective theranostic nanoplatforms assisted by self-monitoring of cancer therapeutic processes.

Pluronic-based graphene oxide-methylene blue nanocomposite for photodynamic/photothermal combined therapy of cancer cells.

A nanocomposite containing methylene blue (MB), graphene oxide (GO) and Pluronic F127 (PF127) had been developed for combined photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, GO was firstly loaded with MB to form GO-MB by a self-assembly method, and then the surface was modified with PF127 to form GO-MB/PF127 nanocomposite (GO-MB/PF127) by a thin-film hydration method. The structure and properties of the nanocomposite were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential. The results showed that the as-prepared nanocomposite exhibited high stability in aqueous solution, high release rate of MB from the nanocomposite under acidic conditions. In addition, when excited by 808 nm near infrared (NIR) light and 660 nm light emitting diode (LED) source, GO in GO-MB/PF127 caused photothermal ablation of cancer cells while MB produced singlet oxygen (1O2) to kill cancer cells through oxidative stress in PDT. The combined therapy had a synergistic effect and can achieve a strong killing effect on SiHa cells at a low dose of GO-MB/PF127 containing GO (10 μg mL-1) and MB (5 μg mL-1). And PF127 did not affect the photothermal heating of GO and the 1O2 generation of MB. Moreover, light-induced GO-MB/PF127 nanocomposite killed SiHa cells by apoptosis pathway. The results indicated that the nanocomposite had the potential to effectively treat cancer via noninvasive phototherapy, and could be served as a multifunctional therapeutic agent for photodynamic/photothermal cancer therapy.

Co-delivery of erlotinib and doxorubicin by MoS2 nanosheets for synergetic photothermal chemotherapy of cancer

Time-staggered administration of erlotinib (Er) and doxorubicin (DOX) provides significantly enhanced apoptosis of lung cancer cells, but this administration approach has not been translated successfully to the clinic due to discrepant formulation parameters and different routes of administration. Here, we developed a MoS2-based multifunctional nanoplatform capable of achieving co-delivery of Er and DOX and controlled drug release for effective cancer therapy. Er was first connected to MoS2 nanosheets via click chemistry with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a linker, followed by incorporation of DOX. The resulting MoS2-PEG-Er/DOX converted absorbed near-infrared (NIR) light into heat, which achieved the controlled release of DOX and induced the photothermal ablation of cancer cells. After cellular uptake of MoS2-PEG-Er/DOX, the loaded Er directly inhibited epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling cascade to suppress cancer cell proliferation and promote the dynamic rewiring of apoptotic pathway, which sensitized cancer cells to the action of the NIR-triggered released DOX. More importantly, MoS2-PEG-Er/DOX upon NIR irradiation achieved the synergetic photothermal chemotherapy of cancer, which effectively inhibited tumor growth in lung cancer cell-bearing mice. The results of this study demonstrate the excellent antitumor effect of MoS2-PEG-Er/DOX, providing a promising strategy for clinical treatment of cancer.

Redox/NIR dual-responsive MoS2 for synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer

BackgroundThe construction of a multifunctional drug delivery system with a variety of advantageous features, including targeted delivery, controlled release and combined therapy, is highly attractive but remains a challenge.ResultsIn this study, we developed a MoS2-based hyaluronic acid (HA)-functionalized nanoplatform capable of achieving targeted delivery of camptothecin (CPT) and dual-stimuli-responsive drug release. HA was connected to MoS2 via a disulfide linkage, forming a sheddable HA shell on the surface of MoS2. This unique design not only effectively prevented the encapsulated CPT from randomly leaking during blood circulation but also significantly accelerated the drug release in response to tumor-associated glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the MoS2-based generated heat upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation could further increase the drug release rate as well as induce photothermal ablation of cancer cells. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that MoS2–SS–HA–CPT effectively suppressed cell proliferation and inhibited tumor growth in lung cancer cell-bearing mice under NIR irradiation via synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy.ConclusionsThe as-prepared MoS2–SS–HA–CPT with high targeting ability, dual-stimuli-responsive drug release, and synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy may provide a new strategy for cancer therapy.

Molybdenum disulfide-based hyaluronic acid-guided multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform for magnetic resonance imaging and synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy

The construction of multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms to integrate accurate imaging and enhanced therapy to treat tumors is highly attractive but remains a challenge. Here, we developed a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based hyaluronic acid (HA)-functionalized nanoplatform capable of achieving the targeted co-delivery of the gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (CAs) and the anticancer drug gefitinib (Gef) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy of tumors. Gd3+ ions were coupled to HA-grafted MoS2 nanosheets with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) as a linker, followed by the incorporation of Gef. The resulting MoS2-HA-DTPA-Gd/Gef exhibited enhanced relaxivity, 3.3 times greater than that of the commercial CA DTPA-Gd, which facilitated the MRI in vivo. Moreover, the nanoplatform effectively converted the absorbed near-infrared (NIR) light into heat, which not only induced the photothermal ablation of cancer cells but also triggered the release of Gef from MoS2-HA-DTPA-Gd/Gef, enabling the synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that MoS2-HA-DTPA-Gd/Gef upon NIR irradiation effectively blocked the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway and activated apoptosis-related proteins to induce cell apoptosis and suppress cell proliferation, thus inhibiting the tumor growth in lung cancer cell-bearing mice. Taken together, this multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform has significant promise for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Polydopamine-coated gold core/hollow mesoporous silica shell particles as a nanoplatform for multimode imaging and photothermal therapy of tumors

It is highly desirable to develop a new hybrid nanoplatform that integrates diagnosis and treatment elements for effective theranostics of tumors. Herein, we have skillfully designed a nanoplatform of polydopamine (PDA)-coated and perfluorohexane (PFH)-filled gold core/hollow mesoporous silica shell (Au@mSiO2-PFH-PDA, ASPP for short) particles for photoacoustic (PA)/ultrasound (US)/computed tomography (CT)/thermal imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumors. In this work, we first synthesized Au seed particles with a diameter of 15.8 nm using a sodium citrate reduction method, and coated Au seeds with polyvinylpyrrolidone for further growth of solid silica shell/mesoporous silica outer shell onto the Au seeds. After treatment via selective etching to remove solid silica shell, amination of surface of the particles, and filling of PFH into the internal cavity of the spheres with a diameter of 182.1 nm, PDA coating was performed to render the particles with an external shell thickness of 15.1 nm. The formed hybrid particles with a size of 212.2 nm are colloidally stable and exhibit good cytocompatibility, and display excellent PA/US/CT/thermal imaging property due to the co-presence of PDA, PFH, and Au nanoparticles. Furthermore, the PDA coating renders the platform with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 61.2%, enabling effective photothermal ablation of cancer cells in vitro and a xenografted 4T1 tumor model in vivo under irradiation with an 808 nm laser. More importantly, in the primary 4T1 tumor model, intratumoral injection of the ASPP and irradiation with an 808 nm laser can also completely inhibit the occurrence of lung metastasis induced by the 4T1 tumor. The as-prepared hybrid nanoplatform may hold a great promise to be adopted for multimode imaging and PTT of tumors and inhibition of tumor metastasis.

Selective photothermal ablation of cancer cells by patterned gold nanocages using surface acoustic waves.

The patterning of nanoparticles, which are promising photothermal agents, is of great importance to selectively and precisely ablate tissues by thermal effects. In this paper, we demonstrated that nano-sized gold particles (gold nanocages, AuNCS) with a hollow structure could be used to generate various wavefront patterns of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and the aligned AuNC lines facilitated the destruction of cancer cells by the thermal effect with high spatial resolution. The hollow structure improved the acoustic sensitivity of AuNCs, making them more sensitive to the acoustic radiation force. Moreover, the multi-scale patterning of AuNCs could be achieved by the interference of multiple acoustic beams. Given the photothermal characteristics of AuNCs, selective temperature elevation within a micrometer-sized region could be realized when the patterned AuNCs were irradiated by a laser. The cancer cells where the patterned AuNCs were located were eliminated by thermal ablation, while other cells remained alive. In particular, the acoustic frequency used in this study was as low as 11. 35 MHz and was in the range of diagnostic ultrasound (less than 12 MHz), offering a potential to serve as a powerful tool in clinical applications.

Plasmonic carbon nanohybrids for repetitive and highly localized photothermal cancer therapy.

Integrating metallic and non-metallic platform for cancer nanomedicine is a challenging task and bringing together multi-functionality of two interfaces is a major hurdle for biomaterial design. Herein, NIR light responsive advanced hybrid plasmonic carbon nanomaterials are synthesized, and their properties toward repetitive and highly localized photothermal cancer therapy are well understood. Graphene oxide nanosheets having thickness of ∼2 nm are synthesized using modified Hummers' method, thereafter functionalized with biodegradable NIR light responsive gold deposited plasmonic polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoshells (AuPLGA NS, tuned at 808 nm) and NIR dye (IR780) to examine their repetitive and localized therapeutic efficacy as well resulting side effects to nearby healthy cells. It is observed that AuPLGA NS decorated graphene oxide nanosheets (GO-AuPLGA) and IR780 loaded graphene oxide nanosheets (GO-IR780) are capable in standalone complete photothermal ablation of cancer cells within 4 min. of 808 nm NIR laser irradiation and also without the aid of any anticancer drugs. However, GO-AuPLGA having the potential for repetitive photothermal treatment of a big tumor, ablate the cancer cells in highly localized fashion, without having side effects on neighboring healthy cells.