Gold Nanorod−Photosensitizer Complex for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Photodynamic/Photothermal Therapy In Vivo

• Published in: ACS nano 2011-02, Vol.5 (2), p.1086-1094
• Main Authors: Jang, Boseung, Park, Jin-Young, Tung, Ching-Hsuan, Kim, In-Hoo, Choi, Yongdoo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological Transport; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Female; Gold - chemistry; Infrared Rays; Intracellular Space - drug effects; Intracellular Space - metabolism; Intracellular Space - radiation effects; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods; Nanotubes - chemistry; Photochemotherapy - methods; Photosensitizing Agents - chemistry; Photosensitizing Agents - metabolism; Photosensitizing Agents - pharmacology; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Singlet Oxygen - metabolism
• ISSN: 1936-0851; 1936-086X
• DOI: 10.1021/nn102722z

A gold nanorod (GNR)−photosensitizer complex was developed for noninvasive near-infrared fluorescence imaging and cancer therapy. We showed that (a) fluorescence emission and singlet oxygen generation by AlPcS4 were quenched after complex formation with GNRs; (b) 4-fold greater intracellular uptake and better in vitro phototoxicity were observed in GNR−AlPcS4-treated cells than in free AlPcS4-treated cells; and (c) after intravenous injection of the GNR−AlPcS4 complex, tumor sites were clearly identified on near-infrared fluorescence images as early as 1 h after injection. The tumor-to-background ratio increased over time and was 3.7 at 24 h; tumor growth reduced by 79% with photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone and by 95% with dual photothermal therapy (PTT) and PDT. This novel multifunctional nanomedicine may be useful for near-infrared fluorescence imaging and PTT/PDT in various cancers.