Gold Nanorods-Based Photothermal Therapy: Interactions Between Biostructure, Nanomaterial, and Near-Infrared Irradiation

Abstract

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are ideal inorganic nanophotothermal agents with unique characteristics, including local surface plasmon resonance effects, easy scale preparation and functional modification, and good biocompatibility. This review summarizes several recent advances in AuNRs-based photothermal therapy (PTT) research. Functionalized AuNRs photothermal agents have optimized biocompatibility and targeting properties. The multifunctional AuNRs nanoplatform composite structure meets the requirements for synergistic effects of PTT, photoacoustic imaging, and other therapeutic methods. Photothermal therapy with AuNRs (AuNRs-PTT) is widely used to treat tumors and inflammatory diseases; its tumor-targeting, tumor metastasis inhibition, and photothermal tumor ablation abilities have remarkable curative effects. An in-depth study of AuNRs in living systems and the interactions between biological structure, nanomaterial, and near-infrared irradiation could lay the foundation for further clinical research and the broad application of AuNRs in PTT.

Biomimetic Gold Nanorods Modified with Erythrocyte Membranes for Imaging-Guided Photothermal/Gene Synergistic Therapy

“…As can be seen in Figure 7B,C, the temperature of tumor tissues upon irradiation in the Plectin1-AuNR-siRNA group rose rapidly in 150 s and finally reached an average temperature of 51.3 °C, and it was 43.5 °C in the passive-targeted group, which were adequate to initiate an ablative response in tumor cells. 58,59 All the above results demonstrated the feasibility of Plectin1-AuNR-siRNA for in vivo photothermal therapy.…”

Recent Metal Nanotheranostics for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: A Review

“…Many studies have used gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for therapeutic applications in cancer treatments [16] (Figure 1). High atomic number, relatively strong photoelectric absorption coefficient, good renal clearance, and biocompatibility are the features that make AuNPs a good, promising choice for use in radiotherapy [17,18]. Studies have often investigated the radiation sensitization and synergistic effects of AuNPs alone or in combination with other materials or treatment modalities.…”

Nanomaterials as Theranostic Agents for Cancer Therapy

“…The composition of metal NPs and their composite also affects the physicochemical properties. , In addition, the metallic NPs can also be engineered to regulate the biocompatibility and biological interactions of the material. , Water-soluble molecules such as γ-glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA), mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA), and dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) have been used as ligand shells of metal NCs. These ligand shells help to achieve greater efficacy toward theranostic applications. , Numerous studies have harnessed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for cancer diagnostic and treatment due to their advantageous features, including high atomic number, strong photoelectric absorption, effective renal clearance, as well as biocompatibility, making them a promising choice for radiotherapy , (Table ). Studies frequently explored how gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used alone or in conjunction with other materials or treatments and what can affect the radiation sensitization as well as synergistic effects of gold nanoparticles.…”