Plasmonic Nanodiamonds: Targeted Core–Shell Type Nanoparticles for Cancer Cell Thermoablation

Abstract

Targeted biocompatible nanostructures with controlled plasmonic and morphological parameters are promising materials for cancer treatment based on selective thermal ablation of cells. Here, core-shell plasmonic nanodiamonds consisting of a silica-encapsulated diamond nanocrystal coated in a gold shell is designed and synthesized. The architecture of particles is analyzed and confirmed in detail using 3-dimensional transmission electron microscope tomography. The particles are biocompatibilized using a PEG polymer terminated with bioorthogonally reactive alkyne groups. Azide-modified transferrin is attached to these particles, and their high colloidal stability and successful targeting to cancer cells overexpressing the transferrin receptor is demonstrated. The particles are nontoxic to the cells and they are readily internalized upon binding to the transferrin receptor. The high plasmonic cross section of the particles in the near-infrared region is utilized to quantitatively ablate the cancer cells with a short, one-minute irradiation by a pulse 750-nm laser.

Extremely rapid isotropic irradiation of nanoparticles with ions generated in situ by a nuclear reaction

“…The fluorescence of NV centers is spin-dependent, which enables coherent manipulation of single NVs 30 and measurement of optically detected magnetic resonance of single spins in ambient conditions 31 . FNDs show low toxicity, and their use as bright near-infrared fluorescent probes in high-resolution imaging 32 – 34 and nanomedicine 35 – 38 recently has been demonstrated 39 . Despite recent advancements in preparation procedures of FNDs, the currently available techniques involve primarily time-consuming and expensive irradiation with energetic ions 3 , 19 , 21 , 40 – 42 or electrons 42 – 44 .…”

Diamond Nanothermometry

“…More preferably, the gold should form a uniform thin shell on the FND surface to avoid non‐uniform heating. Experiments towards the realization of such nanostructures have been undertaken recently and the result so far looks promising . Further development of the technology, along with the incorporation of the specific cell targeting functionality of bioactive molecules,, is expected to make the FND‐assisted photothermal therapy a powerful new tool for cancer treatment and research.…”

Nanodiamonds: From Synthesis and Purification to Deposition Techniques, Hybrids Fabrication and Applications

“…The SiO 2 /NDs hybrids previously described [154] were encapsulated in a gold shell [159]. Gold nanoparticles suspended in a colloid were first electrostatically adsorbed on SiO 2 /NDs and act as seeds for the formation of a gold layer by reduction of the chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ) [160].…”