Laser‐induced optothermal response of gold nanoparticles: From a physical viewpoint to cancer treatment application

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs)‐based photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising minimally invasive thermal therapy for the treatment of focal malignancies. Although GNPs‐based PTT has been known for over two decades and GNPs possess unique properties as therapeutic agents, the delivery of a safe and effective therapy is still an open question. This review aims at providing relevant and recent information on the usage of GNPs in combination with the laser to treat cancers, pointing out the practical aspects that bear on the therapy outcome. Emphasis is given to the assessment of the GNPs’ properties and the physical mechanisms underlying the laser‐induced heat generation in GNPs‐loaded tissues. The main techniques available for temperature measurement and the current theoretical simulation approaches predicting the therapeutic outcome are reviewed. Topical challenges in delivering safe thermal dosage are also presented with the aim to discuss the state‐of‐the‐art and the future perspective in the field of GNPs‐mediated PTT.

Measurement of Ex Vivo Liver, Brain and Pancreas Thermal Properties as Function of Temperature

“…Indeed, the degree of thermal damage can be classified according to the local tissue temperature and duration of treatment at a given temperature [ 2 ]. Hyperthermia starts in the temperature range between 42 and 45 °C; at 50 °C, the reduction in enzymatic activity begins; at 60 °C, the denaturation of proteins, coagulation of collagen and membrane permeabilization rapidly occur, leading to a cytotoxic effect and coagulative necrosis, which is the primary cause of cell death during thermal ablation of tumors; and for temperatures close to 100 °C and above, the effects of vaporization and tissue carbonization befall [ 3 , 4 ]. Hence, a temperature range of 42 to 100 °C is of interest for implementing the different techniques available for cancer treatment, from hyperthermia to thermal ablation [ 5 ].…”

Can Gold Nanoparticles Improve Delivery Performance of Polymeric Drug-Delivery Systems?

“…A typical property of Au NPs is the ability of changing the color of their aqueous solution depending on their size (from 1 to 100 nm), but the main and useful one is to convert an electromagnetic field of light into heat. This phenomenon is caused by the optical property of SPR, by which the excited surface electrons of Au NPs thermalize with the phonons of the NP releasing heat [8,9]. Au NPs are characterized by the tunability of the SPR, which depends on the Au NPs shape, size and aspect ratio.…”

Thermomechanical Modeling of Laser Ablation Therapy of Tumors: Sensitivity Analysis and Optimization of Influential Variables

“…Finally, all the mentioned aspects have a prominent role in the induced thermal damage in the treated tissue. The extensive research in this field demonstrates considerable interest in defining the predictive model for LA planning and evaluating the influencing parameters for therapy optimization [16]. Most of the mentioned studies focused on isolated aspects of the LA, and still today, the clinician's experience mainly guides the selection of the therapy settings.…”