Efficacy and toxicity of plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) using gold nanorods (GNRs) against mammary tumors in dogs and cats.

Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) was introduced as a promising treatment of cancer. This work was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of intratumoral (IT) injection of 75µg gold nanorods (GNRs)/kg of body weight followed by direct exposure to 2 w/cm2 near infra-red laser light for 10min on ablation of mammary tumor in 10 dogs and 6 cats. Complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function were checked before the start of treatment and one month after injection of GNRs. Results showed that 62.5% (10/16), 25% (4/16) and 12.5% (2/16) of treated animals showed complete remission, partial remission and no response, respectively. Tumor was relapsed in 4 cases of initially responding animals (25%). Overall survival rate was extended to 315.5±20.5days. GNRs have no toxic effect on blood profile, liver or kidney functions. In conclusion, GNRs can be safely used for treatment of mammary tumors in dogs and cats.

Investigation of factors affecting the synthesis of nano-cadmium sulfide by pulsed laser ablation in liquid environment.

Pulsed laser ablation in a liquid medium is a promising technique as compared to the other synthetic methods to synthesize different materials in nanoscale form. The laser parameters (e.g., wavelength, pulse width, fluence, and repetition frequency) and liquid medium (e.g., aqueous/nonaqueous liquid or solution with surfactant) were tightly controlled during and after the ablation process. By optimizing these parameters, the particle size and distribution of materials can be adjusted. The UV-vis absorption spectra and weight changes of targets were used for the characterization and comparison of products.

Tissue distribution and efficacy of gold nanorods coupled with laser induced photoplasmonic therapy in ehrlich carcinoma solid tumor model.

Gold nanorods (GNR) within tumor microregions are characterized by their ability to absorb near IR light and emit heat in what is called photoplasmonic effect. Yet, the efficacy of nanoparticles is limited due to intratumoral tissue distribution reasons. In addition, distribution of GNRs to normal tissue might result in non specific toxicity. In the current study, we are assessing the intratumoral and tissue distribution of PEGylated GNRs on the top of its antitumor characteristics when given intravenously or intratumoral to solid tumor bearing mice and coupled with laser photoplasmonic sessions. PEGylated GNRs with a longitudinal size of less than 100 nm were prepared with aspect ratio of 4.6 showing strong surface plasmon absorption at wavelength 800 nm. Pharmacokinetics of GNR after single I.V. administration (0.1 mg/kg) showed very short systemic circulating time (less than 3 h). On the other hand, tissue distribution of I.V. GNR (0.1 mg/kg) to normal animals showed preferential deposition in spleen tissue. Repeated administration of I.V. GNR resulted in preferential accumulation in both liver and spleen tissues. In addition, I.V. administration of GNR to Ehrlich carcinoma tumor bearing mice resulted in similar tissue distribution; tumor accumulation and anti-tumor effect compared to intratumoral administration. In conclusion, the concentration of GNR achieved within tumors microregions after I.V. administration was comparable to I.T. administration and sufficient to elicit tumoral growth arrest when coupled with laser-aided photoplasmonic treatment.