In vivo particle tracking and photothermal ablation using plasmon-resonant gold nanostars

Gold nanostars offer unique plasmon properties that efficiently transduce photon energy into heat for photothermal therapy. Nanostars, with their small core size and multiple long thin branches, exhibit high absorption cross-sections that are tunable in the near-infrared region with relatively low scattering effect, making them efficient photothermal transducers. Here, we demonstrate particle tracking and photothermal ablation both in vitro and in vivo. Using SKBR3 breast cancer cells incubated with bare nanostars, we observed photothermal ablation within 5 minutes of irradiation (980-nm continuous-wave laser, 15 W/cm2). On a mouse injected systemically with PEGylated nanostars for 2 days, extravasation of nanostars was observed and localized photothermal ablation was demonstrated on a dorsal window chamber within 10 minutes of irradiation (785-nm continuous-wave laser, 1.1 W/cm2). These preliminary results of plasmon-enhanced localized hyperthermia are encouraging and have illustrated the potential of gold nanostars as efficient photothermal agents in cancer therapy.From the Clinical EditorGold nanostars are tunable in the near-infrared region with low scattering, thus enable photothermal therapy. Encouraging preliminary results of plasmon-enhanced localized hyperthermia both in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that Au nanostars may be efficient photothermal agents for cancer therapy.

Graphical AbstractThe particle tracking and photothermal ablation in vivo upon laser irradiation through a dorsal window chamber on a mouse preinfused systemically with PEGylated gold nanostars, examined grossly and under multiphoton microscopy. After the irradiation, blood oozing and tissue damage developed, validating the efficacy of nanostars in photothermal therapy. Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (320 K)Download as PowerPoint slide