Hybrid near-infrared-activated luminescent gold nanoparticle platform for efficient cancer therapy

Abstract The development of a multifunctional therapy nanoplatform is of crucial importance to tackle the complex challenges associated with cancer. Despite significant advancements in tumor treatment, the efficacy of these traditional approaches remains insufficient. Recurrence and metastasis following tumor treatment continue to represent a significant contributor to tumor-related mortality. This paper presents an improved, facile, and relatively green fabrication of (5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio) acetic acid (TMT)-coated luminescent gold nanoparticles (L-AuNP@TMT), which exhibit highly membrane-targeting capacity and superior photodynamic properties. Furthermore, in vivo tumor-bearing mouse model experiments indicated that the L-AuNP@TMT could be used as a two-photon excited nanomedicine via pyroptosis-mediated anti-tumor immunity for effectively eliminating colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common malignancy and the second deadliest cancer, without evident toxic side effects or tumor metastasis/recurrence. According to its facile and green fabrication approach, near-infrared light-activatable highly efficient photodynamic cancer therapy, and noninvasive imaging mode, this multifunctional nanoplatform offers significant advantages over traditional monotherapy techniques, providing an alternative for the precise clinical treatment of cancer.