A new method for cancer detection based on diffusion reflection measurements of targeted gold nanorods

This paper presents a new method for cancer detection based on diffusion reflection measurements. This method enables discrimination between cancerous and noncancerous tissues due to the intense light absorption of gold nanorods (GNRs), which are selectively targeted to squamous cell carcinoma head and neck cancer cells. Presented in this paper are tissue-like phantom and in vivo results that demonstrate the high sensitivity of diffusion reflection measurements to the absorption differences between the GNR-targeted cancerous tissue and normal, noncancerous tissue. This noninvasive and nonionizing optical detection method provides a highly sensitive, simple, and inexpensive tool for cancer detection

Simultaneous Noninvasive Detection and Therapy of Atherosclerosis Using HDL Coated Gold Nanorods

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. A real need exists in the development of new, improved therapeutic methods for treating CVD, while major advances in nanotechnology have opened new avenues in this field. In this paper, we report the use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) coated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (GNP-HDL) for the simultaneous detection and therapy of unstable plaques. Based on the well-known HDL cardiovascular protection, by promoting the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), injured rat carotids, as a model for unstable plaques, were injected with the GNP-HDL. Noninvasive detection of the plaques 24 h post the GNP injection was enabled using the diffusion reflection (DR) method, indicating that the GNP-HDL particles had accumulated in the injured site. Pathology and noninvasive CT measurements proved the recovery of the injured artery treated with the GNP-HDL. The DR of the GNP-HDL presented a simple and highly sensitive method at a low cost, resulting in simultaneous specific unstable plaque diagnosis and recovery

Gold nanorods based diffusion reflection measurements: current status and perspectives for clinical applications

Optical imaging is a powerful tool for investigating the structure and function of tissues. Tissue optical imaging technologies are generally discussed under two broad regimes: microscopic and macroscopic, while the latter is widely investigated in the field of light-tissue interaction. Among the developed optical technologies for tissue investigation, the diffusion reflectance (DR) method is a simple and safe technology. However, this method suffers from low specificity and low signal-to-noise ratio, so the extraction of the tissue properties is not an easy task. In this review, we describe the use of gold nanorods (GNRs) in DR spectroscopy. The GNRs present unique optical properties which enhance the scattering and absorption properties of a tissue. The GNRs can be easily targeted toward abnormal sites in order to improve the DR signal and to distinguish between the healthy and the abnormal sites in the tissue, with high specificity. This article describes the use of the DR-GNRs method for the detection of cancer and atherosclerosis, from light transfer theory, through the extraction of the tissue properties using the diffusion theory and up to DR in vivo measurements

Theranostic Approach for Cancer Treatment: Multifunctional Gold Nanorods for Optical Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

A critical problem in the treatment of cancer is the inability to identify microsized tumors and treat them without normal tissue destruction. While surgical excision of tumors is highly effective, residual micrometastases and remaining positive margins are the main cause of recurrence. In this study, we propose a theranostic approach for the detection and therapy of head and neck cancer (HNC). We developed a plasmonic-based nanoplatform for combined, ultrasensitive in vivo spectroscopic detection and targeted therapy of HNC. This detection method involves near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of gold nanorods (GNRs) that selectively target and attach to squamous cell carcinoma HNC cells, through an immune complex. Diagnosis is based on a spectral shift analysis, which is generated by interparticle-plasmon-resonance patterns of the specifically targeted GNRs. Additionally, the ability to design the GNRs to strongly absorb light in the NIR region enables efficient irradiation of these GNRs, for selective photothermal therapy (PTT) of the cancer cells. We expect this targeted, noninvasive, and nonionizing spectroscopic detection method to provide a highly sensitive and simple diagnostic tool for micrometastasis. In addition, the concomitant development of targeted PTT, based on specific cancer markers, may pave the way for tailoring effective therapy for patients, toward an era of personalized medicine

Theranostic Approach for Cancer Treatment: Multifunctional Gold Nanorods for Optical Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

A critical problem in the treatment of cancer is the inability to identify microsized tumors and treat them without normal tissue destruction. While surgical excision of tumors is highly effective, residual micrometastases and remaining positive margins are the main cause of recurrence. In this study, we propose a theranostic approach for the detection and therapy of head and neck cancer (HNC). We developed a plasmonic-based nanoplatform for combined, ultrasensitive in vivo spectroscopic detection and targeted therapy of HNC. This detection method involves near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of gold nanorods (GNRs) that selectively target and attach to squamous cell carcinoma HNC cells, through an immune complex. Diagnosis is based on a spectral shift analysis, which is generated by interparticle-plasmon-resonance patterns of the specifically targeted GNRs. Additionally, the ability to design the GNRs to strongly absorb light in the NIR region enables efficient irradiation of these GNRs, for selective photothermal therapy (PTT) of the cancer cells. We expect this targeted, noninvasive, and nonionizing spectroscopic detection method to provide a highly sensitive and simple diagnostic tool for micrometastasis. In addition, the concomitant development of targeted PTT, based on specific cancer markers, may pave the way for tailoring effective therapy for patients, toward an era of personalized medicine

Ultrasound technology assisted colloidal nanocrystal synthesis and biomedical applications

Non-invasive and high spatiotemporal resolution mythologies for the diagnosis and treatment of disease in clinical medicine promote the development of modern medicine. Ultrasound (US) technology provides a non-invasive, real-time, and cost-effective clinical imaging modality, which plays a significant role in chemical synthesis and clinical translation, especially in in vivo imaging and cancer therapy. On the one hand, the US treatment is usually accompanied by cavitation, leading to high temperature and pressure, so-called “hot spot”, playing a significant role in sonochemical-based colloidal synthesis. Compared with the classical nucleation synthetic method, the sonochemical synthesis strategy presents high efficiency for the fabrication of colloidal nanocrystals due to its fast nucleation and growth procedure. On the other hand, the US is attractive for in vivo and medical treatment, with applications increasing with the development of novel contrast agents, such as the micro and nano bubbles, which are widely used in neuromodulation, with which the US can breach the blood–brain barrier temporarily and safely, opening a new door to neuromodulation and therapy. In terms of cancer treatment, sonodynamic therapy and US-assisted synergetic therapy show great effects against cancer and sonodynamic immunotherapy present unparalleled potentiality compared with other synergetic therapies. Further development of ultrasound technology can revolutionize both chemical synthesis and clinical translation by improving efficiency, precision, and accessibility while reducing environmental impact and enhancing patient care. In this paper, we review the US-assisted sonochemical synthesis and biological applications, to promote the next generation US technology-assisted applications

Au nanodyes as enhanced contrast agents in wide field near infrared fluorescence lifetime imaging

Abstract The near-infrared (NIR) range of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum offers a nearly transparent window for imaging tissue. Despite the significant potential of NIR fluorescence-based imaging, its establishment in basic research and clinical applications remains limited due to the scarcity of fluorescent molecules with absorption and emission properties in the NIR region, especially those suitable for biological applications. In this study, we present a novel approach by combining the widely used IRdye 800NHS fluorophore with gold nanospheres (GNSs) and gold nanorods (GNRs) to create Au nanodyes, with improved quantum yield (QY) and distinct lifetimes. These nanodyes exhibit varying photophysical properties due to the differences in the separation distance between the dye and the gold nanoparticles (GNP). Leveraging a rapid and highly sensitive wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) macroscopic set up, along with phasor based analysis, we introduce multiplexing capabilities for the Au nanodyes. Our approach showcases the ability to differentiate between NIR dyes with very similar, short lifetimes within a single image, using the combination of Au nanodyes and wide-field FLI. Furthermore, we demonstrate the uptake of Au nanodyes by mineral-oil induced plasmacytomas (MOPC315.bm) cells, indicating their potential for in vitro and in vivo applications. Graphical abstrac