Plasmonic nanomaterials for nanomedicine

Abstract

Plasmonic nanoparticles are being researched as a noninvasive tool for ultrasensitive diagnostic, spectroscopic, and, recently, therapeutic technologies. With particular antibody coatings on nanoparticles, they attach to abnormal cells of interest (cancer or otherwise). Once attached, nanoparticles can be activated/heated with ultraviolet (UV)/visible/infrared (IR), radiofrequency (RF) or x-ray pulses, damaging the surrounding area of the abnormal cell to the point of death. Here, we describe an integrated approach to improved plasmonic therapy composed of nanomaterial optimization and the development of a theory for selective radiation nanophotothermolysis of abnormal biological cells with gold nanoparticles and self-assembled nanoclusters. The theory takes into account radiation-induced linear and nonlinear synergistic effects in biological cells containing nanostructures, with focus on optical, thermal, bubble formation, and nanoparticle explosion phenomena. On the basis of the developed models, we discuss new ideas and new dynamic modes for cancer treatment by radiation-activated nanoheaters, which involve nanocluster aggregation in living cells, microbubbles overlapping around laser-heated intracellular nanoparticles/clusters, and the laser thermal explosion mode of single nanoparticles (nanobombs) delivered to cells.