Gold nanoblackbodies mediated plasmonic photothermal cancer therapy for melanoma

Aim: Gold nanoblackbodies (AuNBs)-mediated plasmonic photothermal cancer therapy was investigated through melanoma-bearing mice. Materials & methods: Polydopamine-coated Au nanoclusters were synthesized, termed AuNBs and PEGylated AuNBs (AuNBs-PEG). The photothermal response of AuNBs-PEG was evaluated upon low-intensity broadband near-infrared irradiation (785/62 nm; 0.9 Wcm^-2), and cytotoxicity was assessed on B16-F10 cells. Further, the therapeutic potential of intravenously administered AuNBs-PEG was evaluated on B16-F10 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice. Results: AuNBs-PEG showed an excellent photothermal response (photothermal conversion efficiency of 60.3%), robust photothermal stability and no cytotoxicity. For AuNB-mediated plasmonic photothermal therapy, an average temperature of 63°C was attained within 5 min of irradiation, and tumors were eradicated. Conclusion: AuNBs-PEG are promising photothermal agents for treating melanoma through low-intensity broadband near-infrared irradiation.