Precision Cancer Therapy: Gold Nanoparticles Guided by Light and Sound
Table of Contents
- Precision Cancer Therapy: Gold Nanoparticles Guided by Light and Sound
- The Challenge of Nanoparticle-Mediated Photothermal Therapy
- A breakthrough in Imaging: Photoacoustic computed Tomography
- Armored Nanostars and Precise Temperature Control
- Promising Results and Future Directions
- Looking Ahead: The Future of Nanoparticle Cancer Therapy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Nanoparticle Cancer Therapy
DURHAM, NC – Biomedical engineers at Duke University have pioneered a more targeted approach to cancer treatment, utilizing gold nanoparticles and a novel imaging technique that combines light and sound. This innovative method allows for precise heating of nanoparticles to destroy cancerous tumors, offering a possibly less invasive choice to traditional therapies.
The Challenge of Nanoparticle-Mediated Photothermal Therapy
Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising cancer treatment. This technique involves injecting nanoparticles into the bloodstream, where they accumulate in tumors. Lasers are then used to heat the particles, destroying the surrounding cancer cells. PTT has shown success in treating prostate cancer and is undergoing further clinical trials. However, challenges remain, including nanoparticle shape changes during heating and difficulties in accurately tracking temperature and location within deep tissue.
“Traditional temperature measurements required invasive probes, akin to using a cooking thermometer internally,” explained Aidan Canning, a PhD student in the lab of Tuan Vo-Dinh at Duke University. “These probes coudl also interfere with the laser light, skewing the readings.”
A breakthrough in Imaging: Photoacoustic computed Tomography
the Duke team found a solution in photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), developed by Tri Vu, a PhD student in Junjie yao’s lab. PACT uses laser pulses to generate ultrasonic waves, creating detailed images of tissue. Vu’s system, described as a “miniature MRI machine,” allows for deep-tissue imaging of the entire body.
“We can capture deep tissue imaging through the animal’s whole body,” Vu stated, now a research assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma.
Initial experiments revealed that PACT could accurately track the accumulation of Canning’s nanostars within tumors and precisely measure their temperature during heating.
Did You Know? Photoacoustic imaging offers a non-invasive way to visualize biological tissues by detecting the sound generated when light is absorbed.
Armored Nanostars and Precise Temperature Control
Canning’s team also refined the design of the gold nanostars themselves. The new design features a hollow gold shell encasing each nanostar, stabilizing its shape during heating and preventing it from morphing into a less effective sphere.
By combining the armored nanostars with Vu’s PACT system,researchers were able to monitor the treatment’s progress in real-time and determine the optimal temperature for destroying cancer cells. This precise temperature control is crucial for maximizing efficacy and minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Key Research Findings
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Cancer Model | Mouse model of bladder cancer |
| Imaging Technique | Photoacoustic Computed Tomography (PACT) |
| Nanoparticle Design | Hollow gold shell-encased nanostars |
| survival rate | 100% in treated models |
| Observed Toxicity | None |
Promising Results and Future Directions
In their bladder cancer model, the combined approach resulted in a 100 percent survival rate with no observed toxicity or damage to surrounding tissues. “The integration of these technologies was a meaningful step towards addressing field-wide challenges and pursuing more personalized treatment,” Canning noted.
The team plans to expand their research to larger animal models and explore combining PTT with other therapies, such as immunotherapy, to further enhance anti-cancer immune responses.
Pro Tip: Combining different cancer treatment modalities can often lead to synergistic effects, improving overall outcomes.
“This work opens up a lot of opportunities to explore new ways to advance and improve photothermal therapies using photoacoustic imaging,” Vu added. “Aidan and I are both grateful that our labs and Duke BME helped foster an environment where that collaboration was possible.”
Reference: Canning AJ, Vu T, Menozzi L, et al.Advancing precision photothermal therapy by integrating armored gold nanostars with real-time photoacoustic thermometry and imaging. Sci Adv. 2025;11(33):eadx6350. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adx6350
This article has been republished from Duke Pratt School of Engineering.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Nanoparticle Cancer Therapy
The development of targeted cancer therapies is a rapidly evolving field. Nanoparticle-mediated PTT represents a significant advancement, offering the potential for non-invasive and highly effective treatments. Ongoing research focuses on improving nanoparticle design, enhancing imaging techniques, and exploring synergistic combinations with other therapies. The ultimate goal is to develop personalized cancer treatments tailored to the specific characteristics of each patient’s tumor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Nanoparticle Cancer Therapy
- What are gold nanoparticles? gold nanoparticles are tiny particles of gold, often shaped like rods or stars, used to deliver targeted therapy to cancer cells.
- How does photothermal therapy work? Photothermal therapy uses lasers to heat nanoparticles within tumors, destroying the cancerous cells.
- What is photoacoustic tomography? Photoacoustic tomography is an imaging technique that uses laser pulses and sound waves to create detailed images of tissues.
- Is this therapy currently available to patients? While showing promising results in animal models, this specific combination of technologies is still under development and not yet widely available for patient treatment.
- What are the potential benefits of this approach? This approach offers the potential for more targeted and less invasive cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
What are your thoughts on the potential of nanotechnology in revolutionizing cancer treatment? Share your comments below!
