Spherical and Anisotropic Gold Nanomaterials in Plasmonic Laser Phototherapy of Cancer

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles have shown great potential as in vivo, optically active, biospecific probes with highly controllable and tunable optical properties for simultaneous molecular imaging and phototherapy. The strong plasmon resonance has led to the development of a variety of nanoparticle-based cancer therapies termed plasmonic laser phototherapy (PLP). The use of molecular-specific bioagents has demonstrated the potential for the selective treatment of cancer cells targeted with a variety of gold nanostructures. PLP has been demonstrated through either hyperthermal therapy or localized photodisruption of cellular membranes, with both cancer therapy modes being used across the visible and near-infrared regimes of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this chapter, we provide a review of current PLP methods. Included is a discussion of particle heating and scattering processes, with results organized in terms of laser pulse duration, which will affect the damage confinement during therapy. Keywords: gold nanoparticles; plasmon resonance; photothermal; photomechanical; ablation; lasers; ultrafast lasers