Objective. To kill urothelial cancer cells while preserving healthy cells, this study used photothermal therapy (PTT). PTT techniques target urothelial cancer cells using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and a green light laser. Materials and Methods. The GNPs were conjugated with anti-Mucin 7 antibodies, which acted as a probe for targeting tumor cells. Conjugated GNPs were exposed to a green light laser (532 nm) with sufficient thermal energy to kill the transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs). Results. According to our results, nanoparticles conjugated with Mucin 7 antibodies damaged all types of cancer cells (MBT2, T24, 9202, and 8301) at relatively low energy levels (i.e., 500 laser shots at 10 W/cm2 in power, 1.6 Hz in frequency, and 300 ms in duration). Nonconjugated nanoparticles required 30 W/cm2 or more to achieve the same effect. Cell damage was directly related to irradiation time and applied laser energy. Conclusions. The minimally invasive PTT procedure combined with Mucin 7 targeted GNPs is able to kill cancer cells and preserve healthy cells. The success of this treatment technique can likely be attributed to the lower amount of energy required to kill targeted cancer cells compared with that required to kill nontargeted cancer cells. Our in vitro pilot study yielded promising results; however, additional animal studies are required to confirm these findings.

The aim of this study was to enhance the effectiveness of photo thermal therapy (PTT) in the targeting of superficial bladder cancers using a green light laser in conjunction with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) conjugated to antibody fragments (anti-EGFR). GNPs conjugated with anti-EGFR-antibody fragments were used as probes in the targeting of tumor cells and then exposed to a green laser (532nm), resulting in the production of sufficient thermal energy to kill urothelial carcinomas both in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticles conjugated with antibody fragments are capable of damaging cancer cells even at relatively very low energy levels, while non-conjugated nanoparticles would require an energy level of 3 times under the same conditions. The lower energy required by the nanoparticles allows this method to destroy cancerous cells while preserving normal cells when applied in vivo. Nanoparticles conjugated with antibody fragments (anti-EGFR) require less than half the energy of non-conjugated nanoparticles to kill cancer cells. In an orthotopic bladder cancer model, the group treated using PTT presented significant differences in tumor development.

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy of the urinary tract, which generally develops in the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder. The specific course of treatment depends on the stage of bladder cancer; however, therapeutic strategies typically involve intravesical drug delivery to reduce toxicity and increase therapeutic effects. Recently, metallic, polymeric, lipid, and protein nanoparticles have been introduced to aid in the treatment of bladder cancer. Nanoparticles are also commonly used as pharmaceutical carriers to improve interactions between drugs and the urothelium. In this review, we classify the characteristics of bladder cancer and discuss the types of nanoparticles used in various treatment modalities. Finally we summarize the potential applications and benefits of various nanoparticles in intravesical therapy.