In this study, a multifunctional nano-drug (PTX-loaded Cys-Fe3O4/CuS@BSA nanocomposite), which performs well in hydrophobic drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chemo-photothermal combination therapy, has been successfully synthesized via a facile method with several biocompatible agents. The characterization verified that our as-obtained nanocarrier has a preferable average diam...

The integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities into one nanoplatform shows great promise in cancer therapy. In this research, manganese (II) chelate functionalized copper sulfide nanoparticles were successfully prepared using a facile hydrothermal method. The obtained ultrasmall nanoparticles exhibit excellent photothermal effect and photoaoustic activity. Besides, the high loadi...

Application of photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to detect macrophages in ex vivo rabbit arteries which have engulfed nanoclusters of gold coated iron oxide (nanorose) is reported. Nanorose engulfed by macrophages associated with atherosclerotic lesions in rabbit arteries absorb incident laser (800nm) energy and cause optical pathlength (OP) variation which is measured using photo...

In advanced cancer therapy, the combinational therapeutic effect of photothermal therapy (PTT) using near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) and anti-cancer drug delivery-mediated chemotherapy has been widely applied. In the present study, using a facile, low-cost, and solution-based method, we developed and synthesized fucoidan, a natural polymer isolated from seaweed that has...

Nanotechnology has been extensively explored for drug delivery. Here, we introduce the concept of a nanodrug based on synergy of photothermally-activated physical and biological effects in nanoparticle-drug conjugates. To prove this concept, we utilized tumor necrosis factor-alpha coated gold nanospheres (Au-TNF) heated by laser pulses. To enhance photothermal efficiency in near-infrared window...

An ultrasmall hydrodynamic diameter is a critical factor for the renal clearance of nanoparticles from the body within a reasonable timescale. However, the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic components into a single ultrasmall nanoparticle remains challenging. In this study, pH-activated nanodots (termed Fe-CPNDs) composed of coordination polymers were synthesized via a simple and scalab...

The photothermal heterodyne imaging technique enabled studies of individual weakly absorbing nano-objects in various environments. It uses a photo-induced change in the refractive index of the environment. Taking advantage of the dramatic index of refraction change occurring around a thermotropic liquid crystalline phase transition, we demonstrate a 40-fold signal-to-noise ratio enhancement for...

Recently, near-infrared (NIR) light-based photothermal therapy (PTT) has been widely applied in cancer treatment. However, in most cases, the tissue penetration depth of NIR light is not sufficient and thus photothermal therapy is unable to completely eradicate deep, seated tumors inevitably leading to recurrence of the tumor. Due to this significant limitation of NIR, improved therapeutic stra...

BACKGROUND Theranostic nanomaterials composed of fluorescent and photothermal agents can both image and provide a method of disease treatment in clinical oncology. For in vivo use, the near-infrared (NIR) window has been the focus of the majority of studies, because of greater light penetration due to lower absorption and scatter of biological components. Therefore, having both fluorescent and ...

This paper examines the solutions of kinetic rate equations for prediction of the photothermal lens signals under irradiance conditions that can lead to optical saturation or bleaching. The relaxation kinetics resulting from forcing excited state populations in multiple levels by high excitation irradiance continuous lasers is examined and irradiance-dependent photothermal lens signals are pred...