The synergistic effect of chemo-photothermal therapies in SN-38-loaded gold-nanoshell-based colorectal cancer treatment

Aim: 7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38)-loaded gold nanoshells nanoparticles (HSP@Au NPs) were developed for combined chemo-photothermal therapy to treat colorectal cancer. Materials & methods: SN-38-loaded nanoparticles (HSP NPs) were prepared by the lyophilization-hydration method, and then developed into gold nanoshells. The nanoparticles were characterized and assessed for photothermal properties, cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility in vitro. In vivo anticancer activity was tested in a tumor mouse model. Results: The HSP@Au NPs (diameter 186.9 nm, zeta potential 33.4 mV) led to significant cytotoxicity in cancer cells exposed to a near-infrared laser. Moreover, the HSP@Au NP-mediated chemo-photothermal therapy displayed significant tumor growth suppression and disappearance (25% of tumor clearance rate) without adverse side effects in vivo. Conclusion: HSP@Au NPs may be promising in the treatment of colorectal cancer in the future.

Broadening the biocompatibility of gold nanorods from rat to Macaca fascicularis: advancing clinical potential

Background The biomedical field has used gold nanorods (GNRs) for decades; however, clinical trials and translation is limited except gold nanoshells. The preparation of gold nanoshells is more complex than that of polyethylene glycol-modified GNRs (PEG-GNRs), and it is difficult to ensure uniform thickness. It is important to encourage and broaden the use of the star member (PEG-GNRs) of gold nanoparticles family for clinical translation. Existing studies on PEG-GNRs are limited with no relevant systematic progression in non-human primates. Herein, we assessed the systematic biocompatibility of PEG-GNRs in rats and clinically relevant Macaca fascicularis. Results In this small animal study, we administrated multiple doses of PEG-GNRs to rats and observed good biocompatibility. In the non-human primate study, PEG-GNRs had a longer blood half-life and produced a negligible immune response. Histological analysis revealed no significant abnormality. Conclusions PEG-GNRs were well-tolerated with good biocompatibility in both small animals and large non-human primates. The information gained from the comprehensive systemic toxicity assessment of PEG-GNRs in M. fascicularis will be helpful for translation to clinical trials. Graphical abstract

Polymer coated gold nanoshells for combinational photochemotherapy of pancreatic cancer with gemcitabine

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies with limited therapeutic options and dismal prognosis. Gemcitabine is the front-line drug against pancreatic cancer however with limited improvement of therapeutic outcomes. In this study we envisaged the integration of GEM with gold nanoshells which constitute an interesting class of nanomaterials with excellent photothermal conversion properties. Nanoshells were coated with thiol-capped poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate polymers of different molecular weight via Au–S attachment. It was found that the molecular weight of the polymers affects the in vitro performance of the formulations; more importantly we demonstrate that the EC50 of nanoshell loaded GEM can be suppressed but fully restored and even improved upon laser irradiation. Our proposed nanoformulations outperformed the cytotoxicity of the parent drug and showed confined synergism under the tested in vitro conditions.

Core-satellite assembly of gold nanoshells on solid gold nanoparticle for color coding plasmonic nanosensor

We present core-satellite assemblies comprising solid gold nanoparticle as the core and hollow decahedral gold nanoshells as satellites for tuning the optical properties of the plasmonic structure for sensing. The...