Localized Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy as a Life-saving Treatment Paradigm for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Lung failure is the main reason for mortality in COVID-19 patients, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, no drug has been clinically approved for treatment of COVID-19. Nanotechnology has a great potential in contributing significantly to the fight against COVID-19 by developing effective therapies that can selectively eradicate the respiratory virus load. We propose a novel COVID-19 management approach that is efficient in eliminating the virus load from the airways and protecting the lungs from the fatal effects of the virus. This approach relies on targeting the virus using ACE-2-functionalized gold nanorods (AuNRs) followed by irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light for the selective eradication of SARS-CoV-2 without off-target effects, i.e., targeted plasmonic photothermal therapy. Using discrete dipole approximation (DDA), we quantitatively determined the efficiency of AuNRs (31 nm × 8 nm) in absorbing NIR when present at different orientations relative to one another on the surface of the virus. The safety and the local administration of AuNRs using a well-tolerated flexible bronchoscopy technique, commonly used for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ensure feasibility and clinical translation. While requiring further research, we anticipate this approach to result in a first-line treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients that are experiencing severe respiratory conditions or belong to a high-risk population, e.g., seniors and diabetic patients.

A Multifunctional Neutralizing Antibody‐Conjugated Nanoparticle Inhibits and Inactivates SARS‐CoV‐2

“…As the multifunctional NPs have a broad absorption spectrum in red/near‐infrared range, suitable light sources, LED or lasers, can be selected for in vivo studies to tune the excitation wavelength and power density for good penetration depth and photothermal effect. Meanwhile, the light can be delivered to the lung externally by light irradiation on the respiratory tract or internally by a flexible bronchoscopy, [ 93 , 94 ] which can further improve the light penetration and therapeutic effect of the multifunctional NPs. Future in vivo studies are needed to confirm these benefits.…”

Broadband Absorption Based on Thin Refractory Titanium Nitride Patterned Film Metasurface

“…From the patterns of the magnetic field distributions, we can tell two different modes. For the first mode, the magnetic field is enhanced and localized along the top surface of the nanodisk as shown in Figure 5 e. For the second mode, the magnetic field is enhanced and confined in the bottom SiO layer, as shown in Figure 5 f. Thus, two different surface plasmon resonances result from the strong plasmon hybridization of the adjacent nanodisks [ 42 ].…”

Gold Nanorods for Drug and Gene Delivery: An Overview of Recent Advancements

“…In the most recent study in 2021, on hospitalized coronavirus patients, scientists tried to use a more external and less invasive medication procedure for patients with severe respiratory complications. So, functionalized GNRs with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) have been chosen at the first line of treatment to degenerate targeted cells, inducing apoptosis or necrosis [ 157 ]. Additionally, in another study, by Meng et al, persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs)-conjugated GNRs have been used, forming a nanocomposite platform (PLNP-GNRs) which were encapsulated by biocompatible PW 12 molecules (phosphotungstate derivatives).…”