Advancing precision photothermal therapy by integrating armored gold nanostars with real-time photoacoustic thermometry and imaging.

Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising strategy for cancer treatment; however, nanoparticle instability and lack of precise imaging tools for real-time temperature monitoring during therapy and nanoparticle tracking have hindered investigations in animal models. To address these critical issues, we present a theranostic platform that seamlessly integrates armored core-gold nanostar (AC-GNS)-mediated PTT with full-view photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), enabling nanoparticle tracking and real-time imaging-guided PTT in deep tissues. The AC-GNS platform delivered exceptional photostability and thermal resilience beyond those of conventional nanoparticles while serving as a high-performance contrast agent for PACT and a photothermal transducer for PTT. Integrating AC-GNS-mediated PTT with noninvasive PACT enabled whole-body nanoparticle tracking, PTT treatment monitoring via thermal imaging, and thermal dose determination, culminating in a 100% survival rate in a murine bladder cancer model without long-term treatment-related toxicity. This theranostic platform lays the foundation for broader research applications and provides opportunities for advancing solid tumor treatment and response assessment research.

Duke Scholars

Author Aidan Canning  

Author Junjie Yao Biomedical Engineering

Author Tuan Vo-Dinh Biomedical Engineering

Author Gregory M. Palmer Radiation Oncology