Proof-of-Concept Study of Multifunctional Hybrid Nanoparticle System Combined with NIR Laser Irradiation for the Treatment of Melanoma (original) (raw)

Preliminary Assays towards Melanoma Cells Using Phototherapy with Gold-Based Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials

Cancer like melanoma is a complex disease, for which standard therapies have significant adverse side effects that in most cases are ineffective and highly unspecific. Thus, a new paradigm has come with the need of achieving alternative (less invasive) and effective therapies. In this work, biocompatible gold nanoparticles (GNPs) coated with hyaluronic acid and oleic acid were prepared and characterized in terms of size, morphology and cytotoxicity in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and two cell lines, the keratinocytes (healthy skin cells, HaCat) and the melanoma cells (B16F10). Results showed that these GNPs absorb within the near-infrared region (750–1400 nm), in the optical therapeutic window (from 650 to 1300 nm), in contrast to other commercial gold nanoparticles, which enables light to penetrate into deep skin layers. A laser emitting in this region was applied and its effect also analyzed. The coated GNPs showed a spherical morphology with a mean size of 297 nm wit...

Photothermal Therapy Using Gold Nanorods and Near-Infrared Light in a Murine Melanoma Model Increases Survival and Decreases Tumor Volume

Journal of Nanomaterials, 2014

Photothermal therapy (PTT) treatments have shown strong potential in treating tumors through their ability to target destructive heat preferentially to tumor regions. In this paper we demonstrate that PTT in a murine melanoma model using gold nanorods (GNRs) and near-infrared (NIR) light decreases tumor volume and increases animal survival to an extent that is comparable to the current generation of melanoma drugs. GNRs, in particular, have shown a strong ability to reach ablative temperatures quickly in tumors when exposed to NIR light. The current research tests the efficacy of GNRs PTT in a difficult and fast growing murine melanoma model using a NIR light-emitting diode (LED) light source. LED light sources in the NIR spectrum could provide a safer and more practical approach to photothermal therapy than lasers. We also show that the LED light source can effectively and quickly heat in vitro and in vivo models to ablative temperatures when combined with GNRs. We anticipate that this approach could have significant implications for human cancer therapy.

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

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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 ...

NIR triggered glycosylated gold nanoshell as a photothermal agent on melanoma cancer cells

Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology

Nowadays, gold nanoshells are used in targeted nano photothermal cancer therapy. This study surveyed the application of gold nanoshell (GNs) to thermal ablative therapy for melanoma cancer cells and it takes advantage of the near infrared absorption of gold nanoshells. The synthesis and characterization of glycosylated gold nanoshells (GGNs) were done. The cytotoxicity and photothermal effects of GNs on melanoma cells were evaluated using MTT assay and flow cytometry. The characterization data showed that GGNs are spherical, with a hydrodynamic size of 46.7 nm. Results suggest that the cellular uptake of GGNs was about 78%. Viability assays showed no significant toxicity at low concentrations of GNs. The higher heating rate and toxicity of cancer cells were obtained for the cells exposed to 808 nm NIR laser after incubation with GGNs rather than the GNs. The viability of these cells has dramatically decreased by 29%. Furthermore, 61% more cell lethality was achieved for A375 cells using combined photothermal therapy and treatment with GGNs in comparison to NIR radiation alone. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the synthesized gold/silica core-shell nanoparticles conjugated with glucosamine have high potentials to be considered as an efficient metal-nanoshell in the process of targeted cancer photothermal therapy.

Effectiveness of Gold Nanorods of Different Sizes in Photothermal Therapy to Eliminate Melanoma and Glioblastoma Cells

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Gold nanorods are the most commonly used nanoparticles in photothermal therapy for cancer treatment due to their high efficiency in converting light into heat. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of gold nanorods of different sizes (large and small) in eliminating two types of cancer cell: melanoma and glioblastoma cells. After establishing the optimal concentration of nanoparticles and determining the appropriate time and power of laser irradiation, photothermal therapy was applied to melanoma and glioblastoma cells, resulting in the highly efficient elimination of both cell types. The efficiency of the PTT was evaluated using several methods, including biochemical analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. The dehydrogenase activity, as well as calcein-propidium iodide and Annexin V staining, were employed to determine the cell viability and the type of cell death triggered by the PTT. The melanoma cells exhibited greater resistance to photothermal therapy, bu...

The Combination of Laser Therapy and Metal Nanoparticles in Cancer Treatment Originated From Epithelial Tissues: A Literature Review

Journal of lasers in medical sciences, 2016

Introduction LASER, despite its history, is recognized as a new technology worldwide. Also, nanotechnology is one of the most recent fields of science. These two technologies, with their specific characteristics, have played a major role in medicine and dentistry. Simultaneous use of these two technologies has created a new approach to modern medicine and dentistry, like diagnosis and treatment of cancer, drug releasing systems, rapid medical testing, tooth sensitivity treatment and improving the adhesion to tooth structure in dentistry. Recent investigations showed that there has been an increase in the prevalence of cancers. According to GLOBACON (related to World Health Organization) there were about 12.7 million patients suffering from cancer worldwide in 2008 (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) which is expected to reach 21 million by 2030. This increase requires new treatment methods to be developed. Cancers are classified based on different aspects such as classification according to the cell origin. Carcinoma includes cancers originating from epithelial cells (e.g., epithelial squamous cell cancer), or the cells that cover the internal organs (such as lung cancer) or glands (e.g. breast cancer). Sarcoma refers to cancer originating from mesenchymal tissues such as bone and muscle. Leukemia and lymphoma include cancers originating respectively from blood-forming and immune cells. 1 Several methods have been used to treat cancers, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc. Nowadays, with the recent advances in medical science and new technologies, novel methods have been introduced such as hormone therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), treatments using nanoparticles and eventually combinations of lasers and nanoparticles. PDT depends on the availability of oxygen in tumours, but in methods using lasers and nanoparticles, there is no such limitation and they can be used as alternative methods. Nano technology refers to work at the atomic, molecular and supra-molecular levels (scale of 1-100 nm) in order to

The effects of folate-conjugated gold nanorods in combination with plasmonic photothermal therapy on mouth epidermal carcinoma cells

Lasers in Medical Science, 2013

The use of lasers has emerged to be highly promising for cancer therapy modalities, most commonly, the photothermal therapy method. Unfortunately, the most common disadvantage of laser therapy is its nonselectivity and requirement of high power density. The use of plasmonic nanoparticles as highly enhanced photoabsorbing agents has thus introduced a much more selective and efficient cancer therapy strategy. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the selective targeting and destruction of mouth epidermal carcinoma cells (KB cells) using the photothermal therapy of folate-conjugated gold nanorods (F-GNRs). Considering the beneficial characteristics of GNRs and overexpression of the folate receptor by KB cells, we selected F-GNRs as a targeted photothermal therapy agent. Cell viability was evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using an annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide apoptosis detection kit. No cell damage or cytotoxicity from the individual treatment of laser light or F-GNRs was observed. However, a 56 % cell lethality was achieved for KB cells using combined plasmonic photothermal therapy of 20 μM F-GNRs with seven pulses of laser light and 6-h incubation periods. Cell lethality strongly depends on the concentration of F-GNRs and the incubation period that is mainly due to the induction of apoptosis. This targeted damage is due to the F-GNRs present in the cancer cells strongly absorbing near-infrared laser light and rapidly converting it to heat. This new therapeutic avenue for cancer therapy merits further investigation using in vivo models for application in humans.

Using gold nanoparticles in diagnosis and treatment of melanoma cancer

Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology, 2018

Several studies have been devoted to clear functionalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in different fields such as cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and physiology. In line with the high diagnostic value of AuNPs, its therapeutic application has been intensively developed in tumour therapy, in recent years. One of the best clinical applications of AuNPs is its use in targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs. Recent studies have focused on the application of AuNPs to treat melanoma - a malignant neoplasm sourced from melanocytes skin cells - with poor prognosis in advanced stages. Furthermore, early diagnosis can be successfully achieved through utilizing this technique even at early stages with localized distribution. Herein, this study details the previous researches focusing on the use of AuNPs as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic option in management of melanoma.

Conjugation study of 5-aminolevulinic acid with microbial synthesized gold nanoparticles to evaluate its effect on skin melanoma and epidermoid carcinoma cell lines using photodynamic cancer therapy

Gold Bulletin

Cancer therapy using minimal invasive technique has been a challenge since decades. In the present research, the concept of photodynamic cancer therapy (PDT) has been applied on biologically synthesized nanoparticles for the treatment of skin melanoma (B16F10) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells. The biologically synthesized nanoparticles have been conjugated with a photosensitizer drug 5-aminolevulinic (5-ALA) acid to treat cancer cells by activating the protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) formation through irradiation. Bacterial strain Escherichia coli was used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The size and characteristics of nanoparticles were studied with scanning electron microscope, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analysis. The gold nanoparticles were encapsulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and tagged with 5-aminolevulinic acid, a photosensitizer drug. The drug was activated using a halogen lamp to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules. The cytotoxicity of pure nanoparticles and conjugated nanoparticles were assessed on skin melanoma and epidermoid carcinoma cell lines and compared against standard drug 5-ALA, and the production of ROS molecules was measured using a 2,7 dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe. The results indicated that pure gold nanoparticles had greater cytotoxicity on cells compared to 5-ALA and gold-5-ALA conjugate. But when the cells were subjected to irradiation, the gold-5-ALA conjugate showed higher cytotoxicity than 5-ALA and pure nanoparticles. The cytotoxic levels of gold-5-ALA conjugates were doubled which indicated greater reactive oxygen molecule production compared to other samples.