Direct to Tumor: Transarterial Administration of Gold Nanoshells with Enhanced Targeting and Photothermal Therapy

Inspired by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, a novel tumor therapy strategy was developed based on the transarterial embolization technique and selective photothermal ablation using gold nanoshells on silica nanorattles (GSNs). With the use of transarterial administration, GSNs directly entered the arteries feeding the tumor, avoiding circulation throughout the body and elimination by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). As a result, enhanced retention and permeability of GSNs in tumor tissue was observed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), which showed that the Au content was 3–6 times higher in tumors when delivered by arterial injection than by intravenous injection. Utilizing the near-infrared (NIR) plasmonic absorbance of those nanoparticles, selective photothermal tumor ablation was achieved and an excellent antitumor effect was monitored by CT imaging for post-treatment prognosis. Additionally, a comparative study on the in vivo biodistribution and safety was performed and benign biocompatibility was elucidated. The transarterial administration of GSNs directly into tumors makes it possible to advance the clinical application of photothermal nanomaterials.