Guided delivery of polymer therapeutics using plasmonic photothermal therapy

SummaryIn most drug delivery systems the clinician does not have control over the location of drug delivery after the therapeutic has been administered. As the location of the tumor mass is often known in many patients, a therapy system which enables the clinician to play an active role in nanomedicine localization would provide an advantage. Here, we show a new approach wherein a laser can be used to tag tumor tissue and enhance the delivery of targeted polymer therapeutics. Plasmonic gold nanorods are delivered to the cancerous tissue and heated by a laser to promote a targetable, hyperthermic response. Concurrent administration of a heat shock targeted polymer therapeutic thereby enhances site specific delivery.

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► Gold nanorod mediated photothermal therapy is used to induce tumor hyperthermia.
► Heat shock targeted polymers are used to target cells exposed to hyperthermia.
► Photothermal therapy results in a burst accumulation of polymers to prostate tumors.
► Heat shock targeting enables greater uptake in cells and retention in tumors.