The paper “Localized gold nanoparticles–mediated photothermal therapy for head and neck cancer: in vivo proof-of-concept” was recently published in the journal International Journal of Pharmaceutics.
This work, developed by PhD student Mariana Amaral, was carried out under the supervision of IBEB’s full members João Coelho, and Hugo Ferreira, in collaboration with Catarina Reis and Manuela Gaspar from Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa (FFUL).
This study evaluates the potential of gold nanoparticles-mediated near-infrared photothermal therapy for head and neck cancer as a proof-of-concept. For this, the physicochemical and optical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized. They demonstrated long-term stability, for up to one year, and photothermal stability, maintaining performance throughout four irradiation cycles. The efficacy was assessed in vivo using two murine models differing in tumor location (neck or flank). Following intratumoral administration of the gold nanoparticles and repeated laser irradiation cycles, a clear photothermal effect was observed, associated with increased tumor necrosis and a trend toward reduced tumor progression. Biodistribution studies revealed an accumulation of the nanoparticles at the tumor. Importantly, safety assessments showed no significant alterations, indicating the absence of systemic toxicity following treatment. Overall, the developed gold nanoparticles demonstrated long-term physicochemical stability, robust photothermal performance, strong intratumoral accumulation and a favorable safety profile. These findings support their potential as a localized and minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for head and neck cancer. Further studies will include the assessment of the long-term therapeutic outcomes to advance this approach towards clinical translation.
0 Comments