Open AccessPhotothermal enhancement of chemotherapy in breast cancer by visible irradiation of Gold Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Rita Mendes,
Pedro Pedrosa,
João Carlos Lima,
Alexandra R. Fernandes,
Pedro V. Baptista
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-11491-8
Subject(s) - photothermal therapy , nanoshell , nanorod , materials science , colloidal gold , photothermal effect , nanotechnology , nanoparticle , irradiation , doxorubicin , surface plasmon resonance , breast cancer , nanoscopic scale , radiation therapy , biomedical engineering , cancer , chemotherapy , medicine , physics , surgery , nuclear physics
Photothermal Therapy (PTT) impact in cancer therapy has been increasing due to the enhanced photothermal capabilities of a new generation of nanoscale photothermal agents. Among these nanoscale agents, gold nanoshells and nanorods have demonstrated optimal properties for translation of near infra-red radiation into heat at the site of interest. However, smaller spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are easier to produce, less toxic and show improved photoconversion capability that may profit from the irradiation in the visible via standard surgical green lasers. Here we show the efficient light-to-heat conversion of spherical 14 nm AuNPs irradiated in the visible region (at the surface plasmons resonance peak) and its application to selectively obliterate cancer cells. Using breast cancer as model, we show a synergistic interaction between heat (photoconversion at 530 nm) and cytotoxic action by doxorubicin with clear advantages to those of the individual therapy approaches.