Application of plasmonic nanomaterials in nanomedicine

Plasmonic nanoparticles are being researched as a noninvasive tool for ultrasensitive diagnostic, spectroscopic and, recently, therapeutic technologies. With particular antibody coatings on nanoparticles, they attach to the abnormal cells of interest (cancer or otherwise). Once attached, nanoparticles can be activated/heated with UV/visible/IR, RF or X-ray pulses, damaging the surrounding area of the abnormal cell to the point of death. Here, we describe an integrated approach to improved plasmonic therapy composed of nanomaterial optimization and the development of a theory for selective radiation nanophotothermolysis of abnormal biological cells with gold nanoparticles and selfassembled nanoclusters. The theory takes into account radiation-induced linear and nonlinear synergistic effects in biological cells containing nanostructures, with focus on optical, thermal, bubble formation and nanoparticle explosion phenomena. On the basis of the developed models, we discuss new ideas and new dynamic modes for cancer treatment by radiation activated nanoheaters, which involve nanocluster aggregation in living cells, microbubbles overlapping around laser-heated intracellular nanoparticles/ clusters, and laser thermal explosion mode of single nanoparticles (‘nanobombs’) delivered to the cells. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2058