Photothermal Therapy (PTT)

INQUIRY

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a cancer treatment method that uses the interaction of light and photosensitizers to generate heat that is used to destroy cancer cells. The synthesis of nanoparticles currently used for tumor photothermal therapy is a complex and time-consuming process; therefore, the synthesis of simple multifunctional nanoplatforms is of great importance for PTT. The use of nanoparticles, such as gold nanorods, as photosensitizers in PTT is an active area of research. These nanoparticles have unique optical properties, including strong absorption at specific wavelengths of light, that make them ideal for use in PTT. By incorporating the nanoparticles into a nanocarrier, such as a dendrimer, the specificity of the therapy can be further enhanced, allowing for improved targeting and increased efficacy.

Photothermal Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Traditional cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation have serious side effects. For example, forcing the removal of tumors that are adhering to blood vessels and vital organs can be life-threatening to patients. Long-term chemotherapy can lead to drug resistance and can also cause damage to healthy tissues or organs, causing side effects such as vomiting, insomnia and white blood cell reduction. In PTT, a photosensitizing agent is administered to the patient and selectively accumulates in cancer cells. Upon exposure to a specific wavelength of light, the photosensitizer absorbs the light energy and converts it into heat, causing a localized increase in temperature. This increase in temperature can be sufficient to destroy the cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. PTT offers several advantages over conventional cancer treatments

PTT can be performed on a localized area, reducing the risk of systemic side effects, and it can be repeated if necessary.
Additionally, PTT can be used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, to enhance their effectiveness.

Schematic of strategies for improving selective photothermal therapy. (Zhao L, et al., 2021)

Overall, PTT represents a promising approach for the treatment of cancer and is an active area of research and development. While further studies are needed to fully evaluate the safety and efficacy of PTT, the potential benefits of this approach make it an attractive option for future cancer treatment.

Advantages of Dendrimers in Photothermal Therapy

In PTT, a photosensitizer is used to convert light energy into heat, which is used to destroy cancer cells. Dendrimers are nanoscale polymeric particles that have unique properties, including high surface area, tunable size, and the ability to functionalize their surface with specific chemical moieties, that make them promising candidates for use in PTT. The use of dendrimers in PTT is a promising approach, and research in this area is ongoing. For example, gold nanorods have been incorporated into dendrimers as photosensitizers in PTT and they show better efficacy compared to conventional photosensitizers.

Dendrimer-modified gold nanorods as a platform for combinational gene therapy and photothermal therapy of tumors. (Ye L, et al., 2021)

By incorporating the photosensitizer into a dendrimer, the specificity and efficacy of the therapy can be improved.
The ability to functionalize the surface of dendrimers with specific targeting moieties, such as antibodies or peptides, allows for enhanced targeting of cancer cells, reducing the exposure of healthy tissues to the photosensitizer and heat.
Dendrimers can improve the photostability of photosensitizers, preventing premature degradation and increasing the efficacy of the therapy.
Furthermore, the nanoscale size of dendrimers can increase the accumulation of photosensitizers in cancer cells, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes.

Overall, the unique properties of dendritic polymers make them promising candidates for use in photothermal therapy, and their use in such applications is an active area of research, although further studies are needed to fully evaluate their safety and efficacy.

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References

Zhao L.; et al. Recent advances in selective photothermal therapy of tumor. J Nanobiotechnology. 2021, 19: 335.
Ye L.; et al. Dendrimer-modified gold nanorods as a platform for combinational gene therapy and photothermal therapy of tumors. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2021, 40: 303.

For research use only. Not for clinical use.