T1-Weighted MR/CT dual-modality imaging-guided photothermal therapy using gadolinium-functionalized triangular gold nanoprism

Abstract

Multifunctional nanoagents, in particular those that combine diverse diagnostic and therapeutic functions, have attracted great enthusiasm in oncotherapy. In this work, a triangular gold nanoprism decorated with gadopentetic acid (Gd–DTPA) (TGP–PEG–Gd) was constructed for use in cancer theranostics. TGP–PEG–Gd exhibits uniform morphology, excellent monodispersity and near infrared absorbance properties. The magnetic properties of gadolinium, together with the X-ray attenuation of gold, enable TGP–PEG–Gd to be employed for T₁-weighted MR/CT dual-modality imaging. The longitudinal relaxivity (r₁) of TGP–PEG–Gd was calculated to be 23.1 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹, and its X-ray absorption coefficient was 959.3 HU L g⁻¹. In addition, TGP–PEG–Gd possesses effective photothermal conversion ability, which was utilized for successful photothermal therapy. Moreover, the excellent biocompatibility of TGP–PEG–Gd was proved both in vitro and in vivo. Biocompatible TGP–PEG–Gd may hold promise for the photothermal therapy of cancers guided by MR/CT dual-modality imaging.