Table 1 Different cores used in biomimetic PTT systems and their unique capabilities
From: Membrane-wrapped nanoparticles for photothermal cancer therapy
Core type | Common irradiation wavelengths (nm) | Unique capabilities beyond PTT | References |
|---|---|---|---|
Gold-based | 785, 808, 850, 980, 1064 | •Inherent PTT capacity can be tuned by changing geometric properties •Can be loaded with or conjugated to various molecules to provide imaging and/or drug delivery •Can enhance radiotherapy | |
Polymeric (loaded with organic NIR dyes) | Dependent on photo-activated cargo, includes: 765, 808, 1064 | •Potential for co-loading with drugs or photosensitizers that enable chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy (PDT) along with PTT •Possibility to load with contrast agents that support many imaging methods (fluorescence, MRI, photoacoustic) | |
Prussian blue | 808 | •Additional molecules can be tethered to the particle surface •Potential for drug loading •Particles can have additional photo-responsive properties including PDT and photoacoustic imaging •Can support pH responsive release | |
Non-gold metal-based | 808, 1064 | •Many have natural PTT and imaging (MRI, photoacoustic, computed tomography) properties •Additional therapies include PDT, sonodynamic therapy, radiotherapy •Potential for drug and small molecule loading | |
Liposome | Dependent on photo-activated cargo, includes: 808, 1064 | •Can alter irradiation wavelength depending on selected cargo •Additional molecules can be loaded to enable fluorescence imaging, PDT, or drug delivery | |
Nanosheets | 808 | •Drugs and other molecules can be adsorped or coordinated onto surfaces •Materials can be biodegradable | |
Carrier-free | Dependent on photo-activated cargo, includes: 680, 808 | •No excess materials needed •Particles consist directly of drugs and other molecules to be delivered •Other components can be incorporated to provide PDT or imaging capabilities | |
Other materials | Naturally imbued or can depend on photo-activated cargo, includes: 808, 980 | •Can have natural photothermal properties or be loaded with photo-responsive molecules •Semiconducting polymers can heat in response to light without having to load additional molecules •Can be loaded with diverse cargo providing immune stimulation, drug delivery, fluorescence imaging, or radiotherapy benefits •Some designs support pH responsiveness |