Photothermal Therapy (PTT) impact in cancer therapy has been increasing due to the enhanced photothermal capabilities of a new generation of nanoscale photothermal agents. Among these nanoscale agents, gold nanoshells and nanorods have demonstrated optimal properties for translation of near infra-red radiation into heat at the site of interest. However, smaller spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are easier to produce, less toxic and show improved photoconversion capability that may profit from the irradiation in the visible via standard surgical green lasers. Here we show the efficient light-to-heat conversion of spherical 14 nm AuNPs irradiated in the visible region (at the surface plasmons resonance peak) and its application to selectively obliterate cancer cells. Using breast cancer as model, we show a synergistic interaction between heat (photoconversion at 530 nm) and cytotoxic action by doxorubicin with clear advantages to those of the individual therapy approaches.

Background: Anti-angiogenic therapy has great potential for cancer therapy with several FDA approved formulations but there are considerable side effects upon the normal blood vessels that decrease the potential application of such therapeutics. Chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been used as a model to study angiogenesis in vivo. Using a CAM model, it had been previously shown that spherical gold nanoparticles functionalised with an anti-angiogenic peptide can humper neo-angiogenesis. Results: Our results show that gold nanoparticles conjugated with an anti-angiogenic peptide can be combined with visible laser irradiation to enhance angiogenesis arrest in vivo. We show that a green laser coupled to gold nanoparticles can achieve high localized temperatures able to precisely cauterize blood vessels. This combined therapy acts via VEGFR pathway inhibition, leading to a fourfold reduction in FLT-1 expression. Conclusions: The proposed phototherapy extends the use of visible lasers in clinics, combining it with chemotherapy to potentiate cancer treatment. This approach allows the reduction of dose of anti-angiogenic peptide, thus reducing possible side effects, while destroying blood vessels supply critical for tumour progression.

Photothermal Therapy (PTT) impact in cancer therapy has been increasing due to the enhanced photothermal capabilities of a new generation of nanoscale photothermal agents. Among these nanoscale agents, gold nanoshells and nanorods have demonstrated optimal properties for translation of near infra-red radiation into heat at the site of interest. However, smaller spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are easier to produce, less toxic and show improved photoconversion capability that may profit from the irradiation in the visible via standard surgical green lasers. Here we show the efficient light-to-heat conversion of spherical 14 nm AuNPs irradiated in the visible region (at the surface plasmons resonance peak) and its application to selectively obliterate cancer cells. Using breast cancer as model, we show a synergistic interaction between heat (photoconversion at 530 nm) and cytotoxic action by doxorubicin with clear advantages to those of the individual therapy approaches.

Anti-angiogenic therapy has great potential for cancer therapy with several FDA approved formulations but there are considerable side effects upon the normal blood vessels that decrease the potential application of such therapeutics. Chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been used as a model to study angiogenesis in vivo. Using a CAM model, it had been previously shown that spherical gold nanoparticles functionalised with an anti-angiogenic peptide can humper neo-angiogenesis.

Fast-dissolving delivery systems (FDDS) have received increasing attention in the last years. Oral drug delivery is still the preferred route for the administration of pharmaceutical ingredients. Nevertheless, some patients, e.g. children or elderly people, have difficulties in swallowing solid tablets. In this work, gelatin membranes were produced by electrospinning, containing an encapsulated therapeutic deep-eutectic solvent (THEDES) composed by choline chloride/mandelic acid, in a 1:2 molar ratio. A gelatin solution (30% w/v) with 2% (v/v) of THEDES was used to produce electrospun fibers and the experimental parameters were optimized. Due to the high surface area of polymer fibers, this type of construct has wide applicability. With no cytotoxicity effect, and showing a fast-dissolving release profile in PBS, the gelatin fibers with encapsulated THEDES seem to have promising applications in the development of new drug delivery systems.