A Step Forward for the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer Using Gold Nanoparticles Combined with Laser
Sara Pinho1, Tânia Ferreira-Gonçalves1,2, Joana Lopes1
1Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa-Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second most common cancer diagnosis in men and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The conventional treatments available are beneficial to only a few patients and, in those, some present adverse side effects that eventually affect the quality of life of most patients. Thus, there is an urgent need for effective, less invasive and targeted specific treatments for PCA. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a minimally invasive therapy that provides a localized effect for tumour cell ablation by activating photothermal agents (PTA) that mediate the conversion of the light beam's energy into heat at the site. As tumours are unable to easily dissipate heat, they become more susceptible to temperature increases. In the PTT field, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been attracting interest as PTA. The aim of this study was to formulate AuNPs capable of remaining retained in the tumour and subsequently generating heat at the tumour site. AuNPs were synthesized and characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), morphology and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The safety of AuNPs and their efficacy were assessed using in vitro models. A preliminary in vivo safety assessment of AuNPs with a mean size lower than 200 nm was confirmed. The morphology was spherical-like and the SPR band showed good absorbance at the laser wavelength. Without laser, AuNPs proved to be safe both in vitro (>70% viability) and in vivo. In addition, with laser irradiation, they proved to be relatively effective in PCA cells. Overall, the formulation appears to be promising for use in PTT.
Insights
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show promise as photothermal agents for prostate cancer treatment. These nanoparticles are safe and effective in generating heat for tumor ablation when activated by laser light.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Prostate cancer (PCA) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
- Current PCA treatments have limited efficacy and significant side effects.
- There is a critical need for advanced, targeted PCA therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for enhanced retention in prostate tumors.
- To evaluate AuNPs as photothermal agents for localized heat generation and tumor ablation.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of AuNPs in preclinical models.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of AuNPs (size, PdI, ZP, morphology, SPR).
- In vitro assessment of AuNP safety and efficacy in PCA cells.
- Preliminary in vivo safety evaluation of AuNPs.
Main Results:
- AuNPs exhibited spherical morphology and strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at the laser wavelength.
- AuNPs demonstrated good in vitro safety (>70% cell viability without laser).
- Laser-activated AuNPs showed relative efficacy in destroying PCA cells and were found safe in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The developed AuNPs are suitable for photothermal therapy (PTT) applications.
- AuNPs show potential as a targeted and minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer.
- Further research is warranted to optimize AuNP formulation for clinical translation.
