OCT-guided laser hyperthermia with passively tumor-targeted gold nanoparticles

The goal of this study is the development of a method of local laser hyperthermia with gold nanoparticles under noninvasive optical monitoring of nanoparticle accumulation in tumor tissue in vivo. Bifunctional plasmon resonant nanoparticles that are optimal for OCT diagnostics and laser heating at the wavelength of 810 nm were used in the study. The OCT examination showed that the accumulation of gold nanoparticles in the tumor invading into skin was maximal 4-5 h after intravenous injection. It was demonstrated that nanoparticle accumulation in tumor allowed more local heating and enhanced thermal sensitivity of tumor tissue. Laser hyperthermia that heated tumor up to 44-45 °C at maximum nanoparticle accumulation induced apoptotic death of tumor cells and inhibited tumor growth by 104% on the 5th day after treatment.