We report biodegradable plasmon resonant liposome gold nanoparticles (LiposAu NPs) capable of killing cancer cells through photothermal therapy. The pharmacokinetic study of LiposAu NPs performed in a small animal model indicates in situ degradation in hepatocytes and further getting cleared through the hepato-biliary and renal route. Further, the therapeutic potential of LiposAu NPs tested in mouse tumor xenograft model using NIR laser (750 nm) illumination resulted in complete ablation of the tumor mass, thus prolonging disease-free survival.

Plasmon resonant gold nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes have been extensively researched for their applications in imaging, drug delivery and photothermal therapy (PTT). However, their ability to degrade after performing the required function is essential for their application in healthcare. When combined with biodegradable liposomes, they appear to have better degradation capabilities. They degrade into smaller particles of around 5 nm that are eligible candidates for renal clearance. Distearoyl phosphatidyl choline : cholesterol (DSPC : CHOL, 8 : 2 wt%) liposomes have been synthesized and coated with gold by in situ reduction of chloro-auric acid. These particles of size 150-200 nm are analyzed for their stability, degradation capacity, model drug-release profile, biocompatibility and photothermal effects on cancer cells. It is observed that when these particles are subjected to low power continuous wave near infra-red (NIR) laser for more than 10 min, they degrade into small gold nanoparticles of size 5 nm. Also, the gold coated liposomes appear to have excellent biocompatibility and high efficiency to kill cancer cells through photothermal transduction. These novel materials are also useful in imaging using specific NIR dyes, thus exhibiting multifunctional properties for theranostics of cancer.

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