The Therapeutic Effect of Second Near-Infrared Absorbing Gold Nanorods on Metastatic Lymph Nodes via Lymphatic
Adewale O Oladipo1,2, Thabang C Lebepe1,2, Vuyelwa Ncapayi1,2
1Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.
Abstract:
Photothermal therapy has been established recently as a non-invasive treatment protocol for cancer metastatic lymph nodes. Although this treatment approach shows efficient tumour ablation towards lymph node metastasis, the monitoring and reporting of treatment progress using the lymphatic delivery channel still need to be explored. Herein, we investigated the anti-tumour effect of pegylated gold nanorods with a high aspect ratio (PAuNRs) delivered via the lymphatic route in a mouse model. In this study, breast carcinoma (FM3A-Luc) cells were inoculated in the subiliac lymph node (SiLN) to induce metastasis in the proper axillary lymph node (PALN). The treatment was initiated by injecting the PAuNRs into the accessory axillary lymph node (AALN) after tumour metastasis was confirmed in the PALN followed by external NIR laser irradiation under a temperature-controlled cooling system. The anti-tumour impact of the treatment was evaluated using an in vivo bioluminescence imaging system (IVIS). The results showed a time-dependent reduction in tumour activity with significant treatment response. Tumour growth was inhibited in all mice treated with PAuNRs under laser irradiation; results were statistically significant (** p < 0.01) even after treatment was concluded on day 3. We believe that this non-invasive technique would provide more information on the dynamics of tumour therapy using the lymphatically administered route in preclinical studies.
Insights
Pegylated gold nanorods (PAuNRs) delivered via the lymphatic system effectively inhibited breast cancer metastasis in lymph nodes. This non-invasive photothermal therapy showed significant anti-tumour effects in a preclinical mouse model.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Photothermal therapy is a promising non-invasive treatment for cancer metastatic lymph nodes.
- Monitoring treatment progress via lymphatic delivery requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-tumour effect of pegylated gold nanorods (PAuNRs) delivered via the lymphatic route.
- To evaluate the efficacy of PAuNRs-mediated photothermal therapy in a preclinical mouse model of lymph node metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Breast carcinoma cells (FM3A-Luc) were inoculated in mouse lymph nodes to induce metastasis.
- PAuNRs were injected into the lymphatics followed by near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation.
- In vivo bioluminescence imaging (IVIS) was used to monitor anti-tumour effects.
Main Results:
- PAuNRs with NIR laser irradiation demonstrated a time-dependent reduction in tumour activity.
- Tumour growth was significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) in all treated mice.
- The anti-tumour effect was statistically significant even after treatment cessation.
Conclusions:
- Lymphatic delivery of PAuNRs combined with photothermal therapy is an effective non-invasive strategy against lymph node metastasis.
- This approach offers a valuable method for studying tumour therapy dynamics in preclinical settings.
- Further research into lymphatic-administered therapies can provide insights into cancer treatment strategies.
