Copper sulfide nanoparticles for photothermal ablation of tumor cells

Copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles were developed as a new type of agent for photothermal ablation of cancer cells.

CuS nanoparticles were synthesized by wet chemistry and their application in photothermal ablation of tumor cells was tested by irradiation using a near-infrared (NIR) laser beam at 808 nm to elevate the temperature of aqueous solutions of CuS nanoparticles as a function of exposure time and nanoparticle concentration. CuS nanoparticle-mediated photothermal destruction was evaluated using human cervical cancer HeLa cells with respect to laser dose and nanoparticle concentration. Their toxicity was evaluated by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

CuS nanoparticles have an optical absorption band in the NIR range with a maximum absorbance at 900 nm. Irradiation by a NIR laser beam at 808 nm resulted in an increase in the temperature of the CuS nanoparticle aqueous solution as a function of exposure time and nanoparticle concentration. CuS nanoparticle-induced photothermal destruction of HeLa cells occured in a laser dose- and nanoparticle concentration-dependent manner, and displayed minimal cytotoxic effects with a profile similar to that of gold nanoparticles.

Owing to their unique optical property, small size, low cost of production and low cytotoxicity, CuS nanoparticles are promising new nanomaterials for cancer photothermal ablation therapy.