| 초록 |
A new photothermal therapy is introduced using 'smart' gold nanoparticles that exploit coupled surface plasmon modes of nanoparticle aggregates. pH-induced aggregation of the ‘smart’ gold nanoparticles can shift the absorption to far-red and near-infrared. 'Smart' gold nanoparticles can be conjugated with conventional cancer drugs such as doxorubicins. The gold nanoparticle aggregates served as a photothermal agent that can selectively exploit external light by their collective plasmon modes. Spatio-temporal concertion between the thermo and chemo agents can be directed at the sub-cellular, cellular, and organ levels. Both agents co-localize in the cell nuclei. The conjugates exhibit a highly synergistic effect in vitro, with their cytotoxicity enhanced by nearly an order of magnitude. Using a small animal model in vivo, statistically significant tumor growth suppression is demonstrated without noticeable damage to other organs. This spatio-temporally concerting conjugate permits a new approach to combination therapy because the synergistic effect is maximized and side effects are minimized by the reduction of the dosage. |
