Gold nanomaterials have demonstrated their applications in cancer research due to established protocols for surface functionalization, optical properties and biocompatibility. We have developed a multifunctional gold nanorod (AuNR) complex for cancer cell imaging, drug delivery, photothermal therapy. This AuNR-based complex exploits the light-scattering properties of gold for dark-field imaging of cancer cells and the synergistic effects of ultraviolet (UV) light-triggered drug release and infrared (IR) light-induced hyperthermia causing cancer cell apoptosis. The AuNRs were functionalized with (2-hydroxypropyl)-<i>β</i>-cyclodextrin (CD-AuNR) to afford loading of doxorubicin (DOX) at the hydrophobic core of the CD. UV-active dextran-phenyl-azo-benzoate (DexAzo) was used to coat the CD-AuNR while folic acid-terminated ligand (FA) was incorporated as cancer cell targeting moiety. Intracellular delivery and DOX release was demonstrated by incubation of the DOX-loaded AuNR complex with HeLa cells followed by UV treatment, which resulted in less than 30% cell viability after 24 h. Photothermal therapy was demonstrated by IR treatment of HeLa cells with red laser at 800 nm at 5 W/cm<sup>2</sup> resulting in cell death as shown by trypan blue staining. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of UV and IR treatments using multifunctional AuNR complex in cancer cells were exhibited using live/dead cell assay. This AuNR-based complex offers a combined diagnostic and therapeutic tool for cancer treatment.

Theranostic gold nanorods for synergistic cancer treatment

249th National Meeting (2015)

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