Review of Photoresponsive Plasmonic Nanoparticles That Produce Reactive Chemical Species for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer and Bacterial Infections

Abstract

Increased use of classical drug therapy, including the administration of antibiotics and anticancer drugs, has led to multidrug resistance. Overcoming this resistance requires alternative therapies. Photodynamic therapy is used extensively to combat numerous ailments by killing cells by producing reactive chemical species (RCS). Plasmonic nanomaterials are excellent candidates for bactericidal and neoplastic agents due to their specialized optical properties and capacity to generate RCS. Plasmonic nanomaterials are in great demand for drug delivery, medical diagnostic applications, electronic semiconductors, biomolecular sensing, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, enhancement of materials, and catalysis. This review focuses on plasmonic nanoparticle therapy for bacterial infections and cancers. In particular, mechanisms for RCS formation, toxicity, immunogenicity, and biodegradability of plasmonic nanomaterials are discussed. These materials may become important agents for treating bacterial infections and cancer in the near future, in combination with proper targeting agents and conjugation with biocompatible molecules.

Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE), Life and Health

“…In comparison with traditional fluorescent materials with the ACQ effect, luminescent molecules with the AIE effect have been successfully demonstrated to exhibit significant potential in cancer therapy and bacterial elimination. − In this section, representative research involving powerful AIEgens are cataloged by their biofunctional effects, ranging from diagnosis to treatment. For cancer therapy, PDT and combined therapy are discussed in sequence.…”

Biphasic Approach for the Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles via Diffusional Release of Gallic Acid from Supramolecular Hydrogels to Aqueous Solutions: Implications for Biomedical Applications

“…Plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold (Au NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are unique nanomaterials mainly due to their optical and electronic properties given by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). − These NPs have demonstrated potential applications in catalysis, nanomedicine, sensing, optoelectronics, and bioimaging, among others. − In this sense, using different metallic NPs for catalytic reaction-based therapy or disease diagnosis has been highlighted recently. − Basically, the designed nanomaterial catalyzes the generation of a reaction product suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in a specific environment. This therapy, known as nanocatalytic therapy, could be used for cancer treatments, taking full advantage of the physiological differences between tumoral and normal tissues for triggering a specific reaction, such as low pH, overproduction of H 2 O 2 , and glutathione concentration, among others .…”

Cellular membrane-targeting ruthenium complexes as efficient photosensitizers for broad-spectrum antibacterial activity

“…5,6 To date, minimal progress has been made in developing effective antibiotics to combat multidrug resistance in bacteria. [7][8][9] New antimicrobial strategies (e.g., photodynamic therapy, [10][11][12] photothermal therapy, 13,14 and chemodynamic therapy 15 ) must be explored to solve the current antibiotic crisis. Among these strategies, photodynamic therapy has a unique mechanism of oxidative damage that is not susceptible to the resistance problems caused by single doses, inadequate exposure times, or high concentrations of photosensitizers.…”

“…Among these strategies, photodynamic therapy has a unique mechanism of oxidative damage that is not susceptible to the resistance problems caused by single doses, inadequate exposure times, or high concentrations of photosensitizers. 10,12 Drug resistance in bacteria can be classified into two types: inherent (natural) resistance and acquired resistance. 16 Inherent resistance is characterized by blocking antimicrobial contact with bacteria, secreting enzymes to inactivate antimicrobial agents, and reducing the affinity of the antimicrobial agents for bacteria.…”

“…Among these strategies, photodynamic therapy has a unique mechanism of oxidative damage that is not susceptible to the resistance problems caused by single doses, inadequate exposure times, or high concentrations of photosensitizers. 10,12…”