Assessment and Modeling of Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy Delivered via a Fiberoptic Microneedle Device Ex Vivo

Abstract

Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) has potential as a superior treatment method for pancreatic cancer, a disease with high mortality partially attributable to the currently non-selective treatment options. PPTT utilizes gold nanoparticles infused into a targeted tissue volume and exposed to a specific light wavelength to induce selective hyperthermia. The current study focuses on developing this approach within an ex vivo porcine pancreas model via an innovative fiberoptic microneedle device (FMD) for co-delivering light and gold nanoparticles. The effects of laser wavelengths (808 vs. 1064 nm), irradiances (20–50 mW·mm−2), and gold nanorod (GNR) concentrations (0.1–3 nM) on tissue temperature profiles were evaluated to assess and control hyperthermic generation. The GNRs had a peak absorbance at ~800 nm. Results showed that, at 808 nm, photon absorption and subsequent heat generation within tissue without GNRs was 65% less than 1064 nm. The combination of GNRs and 808 nm resulted in a 200% higher temperature rise than the 1064 nm under similar conditions. A computational model was developed to predict the temperature shift and was validated against experimental results with a deviation of <5%. These results show promise for both a predictive model and spatially selective, tunable treatment modality for pancreatic cancer.

An Innovative Polymeric Platform for Controlled and Localized Drug Delivery

“…The two biocompatible polymers used in this study were polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were mixed with RhB to form the PCRS devices. The PCL was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be utilized as an implantable device due to its high biocompatibility and harmless biodegradation [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. It was selected due to its melting point of 60 °C, malleability, and capacity to be 3D printed [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Prospect of Gold Nanoparticles in Pancreatic Cancer

“…One study compared the impact of two distinct wavelengths on the photothermal treatment of pancreatic tissues. This research revealed that, under identical conditions, the temperature generated by AuNPs at 808 nm was 200% higher than at 1064 nm, resulting in less damage to adjacent normal tissues [ 113 ]. Zhang et al utilized perfluorocarbon (PFC) as an oxygen carrier, aiming to replenish oxygen in the hypoxic environment of PC for PDT [ 114 ].…”