Author(s): Aidan J. Canning, Tri Vu1, Luca Menozzi, Paul Klippel, Xinrong Chen, Jianing Chen,Theresa Charity, Khang Hoang, Joseph J. Yang, Yun Jing, Gregory M. Palmer5,Junjie Yao1, Tuan Vo-Dinh
ABSTRACT
Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising strategy for cancer treatment; however,nanoparticle instability and lack of precise imaging tools for real-time temperature monitoring during therapyand nanoparticle tracking have hindered investigations in animal models. To address these critical issues, we pres-ent a theranostic platform that seamlessly integrates armored core–gold nanostar (AC-GNS)–mediated PTT withfull-view photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), enabling nanoparticle tracking and real-time imaging-guided PTT in deep tissues. The AC-GNS platform delivered exceptional photostability and thermal resilience be-yond those of conventional nanoparticles while serving as a high-performance contrast agent for PACT and aphotothermal transducer for PTT. Integrating AC-GNS–mediated PTT with noninvasive PACT enabled whole-bodynanoparticle tracking, PTT treatment monitoring via thermal imaging, and thermal dose determination, culminat-ing in a 100% survival rate in a murine bladder cancer model without long-term treatment-related toxicity. Thistheranostic platform lays the foundation for broader research applications and provides opportunities for ad-vancing solid tumor treatment and response assessment research.
Citation
A. J. Canning, T. Vu, L. Menozzi, P. Klippel, X. Chen, J. Chen, T. Charity, K. Hoang, J. J. Yang, Y. Jing, G. M. Palmer, and T. Vo-Dinh, "Advancing precision photothermal therapy by integrating armored gold nanostars with real-time photoacoustic thermometry and imaging," Science Advances, vol. 11, no. 33, art. eadx6350, 2025, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adx6350.
