Albumin-Encapsulated Platinum Nanoparticles for Targeted Photothermal Treatment of Glioma

Brain tumors are hard to cure due to the life-threatening impact on the vital function areas of brain plus the blood-brain barrier caused poor drug delivery to brain. In this study, we utilized the human serum albumin (HSA) as a template to synthesize ultrasmall platinum nanoparticle for targeted photothermal treatment of glioma. The HSA-encapsulated platinum nanoparticle (HSA-Pt) possessed uniform size and shape, and represented excellent photothermal effect. As an endogenous protein in blood, HSA endowed HSA-Pt great biocompatibility and prolonged blood circulation time. In a subcutaneous model, HSA-Pt accumulated more in tumors than the control nanoparticle due to its long circulation time, resulting in more efficient photothermal regression of tumors. Furthermore, in an orthotropic glioma model, HSA-Pt was able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target to glioma, and the tumors were significantly suppressed by photothermal therapy. This study suggests HSA-Pt associated targeted photothermal therapy can be used for the treatment of brain tumors.