Improving Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy of Lung Cancer Cells with Anti-EGFR Targeted Gold Nanorods

Plasmonic nanophotothermal therapy: Destruction of 500 mm3 subcutaneous human basal cell carcinoma with gold nanoparticles and near infrared laser

SIGNIFICANCE

Multilesional basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are spread on sun exposed skin areas, including arms, face and back. The first-line treatment remains the surgical resection or Mohs surgery. Despite its high complexity, Mohs surgery is well practiced in USA and Germany and presents very good results both in esthetic and in carcinology point of view. Large lesions more than 2 cm remain challenging to remove by topical cream used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). If these larger lesions are not treated in less than 1 month, they could grow deeply in the skin, thus enhancing the risk of reoccurrence and the severity of the disease. Despite this model herein studied, that is non melanoma skin cancer is a good prognostic cancer, the therapy aims to be applied to more aggressive melanoma skin cancers.

AIM

Total regression of large cutaneous lesions less than 1 month with no reoccurrence.

APPROACH

Tumor induction on murine model bearing a 500 mm3 subcutaneous lesion. Increasing dose of gold nanoparticles at fixed initial concentration C0 = 0.3 mg/mL, infused into the tumor then exposition of the region of interest to NIR medical laser to assess the therapy. One or two intratumoral administration(s) were compared to surgery and control, that is no treatment, laser alone or nanoparticles alone.

RESULTS

Gold nanoparticles alone or the NIR laser alone did not induce the tumor regression. The combination of laser and nanoparticles called plasmonic nanophotothermal therapy induced apoptosis. Derma and hypoderm do not show any visible gold nanoparticles and demonstrated a good cicatrization process.

CONCLUSION

Plasmonic nanophotothermal therapy using two doses of gold nanoparticles was the only protocol that proved its efficacy on large lesions in 14 days, that is 500 mm3 on a murine model bearing human basal cell carcinoma.

Red blood membrane camouflaging Bismuth nanoflowers designed for radio-photothermal therapy in lung cancer

Radio-photothermal therapy is an effective modality for cancer treatment. To overcome the radio-resistance in the hypoxic microenvironment and improve the sensitivity of radiotherapy, metal nanoparticles, and radio-photothermal therapy are widely used in the research of improving the curative effect and reducing the side effects of radiotherapy. Here, we developed red blood membrane camouflaging bismuth nanoflowers (RBCM-BNF) with outstanding physiological stability and biodegradability for lung tumours. In vitro data proved that the RBCM-BNF had the greatest cancer cell-killing ability combined with X-ray irradiation and photo-thermal treatment. Meanwhile, in vivo studies revealed that RBCM-BNF can alleviate the hypoxic microenvironment and promote tumour cell apoptosis by inhibiting HIF-1α expression and increasing caspase-3 expression. Therefore, RBCM-BNF had a good radio-sensitising effect and might be a promising biomimetic nanoplatform as a therapeutic target for cancer.

New insights into nanosystems for non-small-cell lung cancer: diagnosis and treatment

Lung cancer is caused by a malignant tumor that shows the fastest growth in both incidence and mortality and is also the greatest threat to human health and life. At present, both in terms of incidence and mortality, lung cancer is the first in male malignant tumors, and the second in female malignant tumors. In the past two decades, research and development of antitumor drugs worldwide have been booming, and a large number of innovative drugs have entered clinical trials and practice. In the era of precision medicine, the concept and strategy of cancer from diagnosis to treatment are experiencing unprecedented changes. The ability of tumor diagnosis and treatment has rapidly improved, the discovery rate and cure rate of early tumors have greatly improved, and the overall survival of patients has benefited significantly, with a tendency to transform to a chronic disease with tumor. The emergence of nanotechnology brings new horizons for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Nanomaterials with good biocompatibility have played an important role in tumor imaging, diagnosis, drug delivery, controlled drug release, etc. This article mainly reviews the advancements in lipid-based nanosystems, polymer-based nanosystems, and inorganic nanosystems in the diagnosis and treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Gold nanoparticles and gold nanorods in the landscape of cancer therapy

Cancer is a grievous disease whose treatment requires a more efficient, non-invasive therapy, associated with minimal side effects. Gold nanoparticles possessing greatly impressive optical properties have been a forerunner in bioengineered cancer therapy. This theranostic system has gained immense popularity and finds its application in the field of molecular detection, biological imaging, cancer cell targeting, etc. The photothermal property of nanoparticles, especially of gold nanorods, causes absorption of the light incident by the light source, and transforms it into heat, resulting in tumor cell destruction. This review describes the different optical features of gold nanoparticles and summarizes the advance research done for the application of gold nanoparticles and precisely gold nanorods for combating various cancers including breast, lung, colon, oral, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.

Pharmacological impact of microRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Prevailing insights on molecular pathways, diagnosis, and nanomedicine treatment

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a disease that most commonly produce tumours from the lining of the epithelial cells of the lips, larynx, nasopharynx, mouth, or oro-pharynx. It is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. About one to two percent of all neo-plasm-related deaths are attributed to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which is responsible for about six percent of all cancers. MicroRNAs play a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, stress response, triggering apoptosis, and other physiological process. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and provide new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this work, the role of molecular signaling pathways related to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is emphasized. We also provide an overview of MicroRNA downregulation and overexpression and its role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In recent years, MicroRNA nano-based therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have been explored. In addition, nanotechnology-based alternatives have been discussed as a promising strategy in exploring therapeutic paradigms aimed at improving the efficacy of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and attenuating their cytotoxicity. This article also provides information on ongoing and recently completed clinical trials for therapies based on nanotechnology.

New Frontiers in Colorectal Cancer Treatment Combining Nanotechnology with Photo- and Radiotherapy

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Despite recent advances in the treatment of this pathology, which include a personalized approach using radio- and chemotherapies in combination with advanced surgical techniques, it is imperative to enhance the performance of these treatments and decrease their detrimental side effects on patients' health. Nanomedicine is likely the pathway towards solving this challenge by enhancing both the therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. In particular, plasmonic nanoparticles show remarkable potential due to their dual therapeutic functionalities as photothermal therapy agents and as radiosensitizers in radiotherapy. Their dual functionality, high biocompatibility, easy functionalization, and targeting capabilities make them potential agents for inducing efficient cancer cell death with minimal side effects. This review aims to identify the main challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. The heterogeneous nature of this cancer is also discussed from a single-cell point of view. The most relevant works in photo- and radiotherapy using nanotechnology-based therapies for colorectal cancer are addressed, ranging from in vitro studies (2D and 3D cell cultures) to in vivo studies and clinical trials. Although the results using nanoparticles as a photo- and radiosensitizers in photo- and radiotherapy are promising, preliminary studies showed that the possibility of combining both therapies must be explored to improve the treatment efficiency.

Assessing the Efficiency of Triangular Gold Nanoparticles as NIR Photothermal Agents In Vitro and Melanoma Tumor Model

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is gaining a lot of interest as a cancer treatment option with minimal side effects due to the efficient photothermal agents employed. They are based on nanomaterials that, upon laser irradiation, absorb photon energy and convert it into heat to induce hyperthermia, which destroys the cancer cells. Here, the unique light-to-heat conversion features of three different gold nanotriangular nanoparticles (AuNTs) are evaluated with respect to their absorption properties to select the most efficient nanoheater with the highest potential to operate as an efficient photothermal agent. AuNTs with LSPR response in- and out- of resonance with the 785 nm near-infrared (NIR) excitation wavelength are investigated. Upon 15 min laser exposure, the AuNTs that exhibit a plasmonic response in resonance with the 785 nm laser line show the highest photothermal conversion efficacy of 80%, which correlates with a temperature increase of 22 °C. These photothermal properties are well-preserved in agarose-based skin biological phantoms that mimic the melanoma tumoral tissue and surrounding healthy tissue. Finally, in vitro studies on B16.F10 melanoma cells prove by fluorescence staining and MTT assay that the highest phototoxic effect after NIR laser exposure is induced by AuNTs with LSPR response in resonance with the employed laser line, thus demonstrating their potential implementation as efficient photothermal agents in PTT.

NIR-Absorbing Mesoporous Silica-Coated Copper Sulphide Nanostructures for Light-to-Thermal Energy Conversion

Plasmonic nanostructures, featuring near infrared (NIR)-absorption, are rising as efficient nanosystems for in vitro photothermal (PT) studies and in vivo PT treatment of cancer diseases. Among the different materials, new plasmonic nanostructures based on Cu_2−xS nanocrystals (NCs) are emerging as valuable alternatives to Au nanorods, nanostars and nanoshells, largely exploited as NIR absorbing nanoheaters. Even though Cu_2−xS plasmonic properties are not linked to geometry, the role played by their size, shape and surface chemistry is expected to be fundamental for an efficient PT process. Here, Cu_2−xS NCs coated with a hydrophilic mesoporous silica shell (MSS) are synthesized by solution-phase strategies, tuning the core geometry, MSS thickness and texture. Besides their loading capability, the silica shell has been widely reported to provide a more robust plasmonic core protection than organic molecular/polymeric coatings, and improved heat flow from the NC to the environment due to a reduced interfacial thermal resistance and direct electron–phonon coupling through the interface. Systematic structural and morphological analysis of the core-shell nanoparticles and an in-depth thermoplasmonic characterization by using a pump beam 808 nm laser, are carried out. The results suggest that large triangular nanoplates (NPLs) coated by a few tens of nanometers thick MSS, show good photostability under laser light irradiation and provide a temperature increase above 38 °C and a 20% PT efficiency upon short irradiation time (60 s) at 6 W/cm² power density.

Next-generation engineered nanogold for multimodal cancer therapy and imaging: a clinical perspectives

Cancer is one of the significant threats to human life. Although various latest technologies are currently available to treat cancer, it still accounts for millions of death each year worldwide. Thus, creating a need for more developed and novel technologies to combat this deadly condition. Nanoparticles-based cancer therapeutics have offered a promising approach to treat cancer effectively while minimizing adverse events. Among various nanoparticles, nanogold (AuNPs) are biocompatible and have proved their efficiency in treating cancer because they can reach tumors via enhanced permeability and retention effect. The size and shape of the AuNPs are responsible for their diverse therapeutic behavior. Thus, to modulate their therapeutic values, the AuNPs can be synthesized in various shapes, such as spheres, cages, flowers, shells, prisms, rods, clusters, etc. Also, attaching AuNPs with single or multiple targeting agents can facilitate the active targeting of AuNPs to the tumor tissue. The AuNPs have been much explored for photothermal therapy (PTT) to treat cancer. In addition to PTT, AuNPs-based nanoplatforms have been investigated for combinational multimodal therapies in the last few years, including photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, etc., to ablate cancer cells. Thus, the present review focuses on the recent advancements in the functionalization of AuNPs-based nanoconstructs for cancer imaging and therapy using combinatorial multimodal approaches to treat various cancers.

Special Issue: Application of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy

Nanomaterials of different types-namely, inorganic-based, organic-based, carbon-based, and composite-based ones, with various structures such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanorods, nanoshells, and nanostars, all have demonstrated a wide range of medical biophysical and chemical properties [...].

Nanoparticle-assisted, image-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for cancer treatment

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new treatment option for patients with brain and non-central nervous system (non-CNS) tumors. MRI guidance allows for precise placement of optical fiber in the tumor, while MR thermometry provides real-time monitoring and assessment of thermal doses during the procedure. Despite promising clinical results, LITT complications relating to brain tumor procedures, such as hemorrhage, edema, seizures, and thermal injury to nearby healthy tissues, remain a significant concern. To address these complications, nanoparticles offer unique prospects for precise interstitial hyperthermia applications that increase heat transport within the tumor while reducing thermal impacts on neighboring healthy tissues. Furthermore, nanoparticles permit the co-delivery of therapeutic compounds that not only synergize with LITT, but can also improve overall effectiveness and safety. In addition, efficient heat-generating nanoparticles with unique optical properties can enhance LITT treatments through improved real-time imaging and thermal sensing. This review will focus on (1) types of inorganic and organic nanoparticles for LITT; (2) in vitro, in silico, and ex vivo studies that investigate nanoparticles' effect on light-tissue interactions; and (3) the role of nanoparticle formulations in advancing clinically relevant image-guided technologies for LITT. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanoscale Tools and Techniques in Surgery.

Evaluation of the Targeting and Therapeutic Efficiency of Anti-EGFR Functionalised Nanoparticles in Head and Neck Cancer Cells for Use in NIR-II Optical Window

Gold nanoparticles have been indicated for use in a diagnostic and/or therapeutic role in several cancer types. The use of gold nanorods (AuNRs) with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the second near-infrared II (NIR-II) optical window promises deeper anatomical penetration through increased maximum permissible exposure and lower optical attenuation. In this study, the targeting and therapeutic efficiency of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-antibody-functionalised AuNRs with an SPR at 1064 nm was evaluated in vitro. Four cell lines, KYSE-30, CAL-27, Hep-G2 and MCF-7, which either over- or under-expressed EGFR, were used once confirmed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Optical microscopy demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.0001) between targeted AuNRs (tAuNRs) and untargeted AuNRs (uAuNRs) in all four cancer cell lines. This study demonstrated that anti-EGFR functionalisation significantly increased the association of tAuNRs with each EGFR-positive cancer cell. Considering this, the MTT assay showed that photothermal therapy (PTT) significantly increased cancer cell death (>97%) in head and neck cancer cell line CAL-27 using tAuNRs but not uAuNRs, apoptosis being the major mechanism of cell death. This successful targeting and therapeutic outcome highlight the future use of tAuNRs for molecular photoacoustic imaging or tumour treatment through plasmonic photothermal therapy.

Spiky Gold Nanoparticles for the Photothermal Eradication of Colon Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a widespread and lethal disease. Relapses of the disease and metastasis are very common in instances of CRC, so adjuvant therapies have a crucial role in its treatment. Systemic toxic effects and the development of resistance during therapy limit the long-term efficacy of existing adjuvant therapeutic approaches. Consequently, the search for alternative strategies is necessary. Photothermal therapy (PTT) represents an innovative treatment for cancer with great potential. Here, we synthesize branched gold nanoparticles (BGNPs) as attractive agents for the photothermal eradication of colon cancer cells. By controlling the NP growth process, large absorption in the first NIR biological window was obtained. The FBS dispersed BGNPs are stable in physiological-like environments and show an extremely efficient light-to-heat conversion capability when irradiated with an 808-nm laser. Sequential cycles of heating and cooling do not affect the BGNP stability. The uptake of BGNPs in colon cancer cells was confirmed using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, exploiting their intrinsic optical properties. In dark conditions, BGNPs are fully biocompatible and do not compromise cell viability, while an almost complete eradication of colon cancer cells was observed upon incubation with BGNPs and irradiation with an 808-nm laser source. The PTT treatment is characterized by an extremely rapid onset of action that leads to cell membrane rupture by induced hyperthermia, which is the trigger that promotes cancer cell death.

Nanotreatment and Nanodiagnosis of Prostate Cancer: Recent Updates

The fabrication and development of nanomaterials for the treatment of prostate cancer have gained significant appraisal in recent years. Advancements in synthesis of organic and inorganic nanomaterials with charge, particle size, specified geometry, ligand attachment etc have resulted in greater biocompatibility and active targeting at cancer site. Despite all of the advances made over the years in discovering drugs, methods, and new biomarkers for cancer of the prostate (PCa), PCa remains one of the most troubling cancers among people. Early on, effective diagnosis is an essential part of treating prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or serum prostate-specific antigen is the best serum marker widely accessible for diagnosis of PCa. Numerous efforts have been made over the past decade to design new biosensor-based strategies for biomolecules detection and PSA miniaturization biomarkers. The growing nanotechnology is expected to have a significant effect in the immediate future on scientific research and healthcare. Nanotechnology is thus predicted to find a way to solve one of the most and long-standing problem, "early cancer detection". For early diagnosis of PCa biomarkers, different nanoparticles with different approaches have been used. In this review, we provide a brief description of the latest achievements and advances in the use of nanoparticles for PCa biomarker diagnosis.