In vivo photoacoustic molecular imaging with simultaneous multiple selective targeting using antibody-conjugated gold nanorods

TLDR

The study reports using gold nanorods for photoacoustic imaging that can target multiple biomarkers simultaneously. Gold nanorods’ tunable absorption allows switching laser wavelengths to target HER2 and EGFR on OECM1 and Cal27 cancer cells. In vitro and in vivo mouse imaging showed contrast enhancement of up to 10 dB and 3.5 dB, demonstrating potential to improve cancer diagnosis.

Abstract

The use of gold nanorods for photoacoustic molecular imaging with simultaneous multiple targeting is reported. Multiple targeting is done by utilizing the tunable optical absorption property of gold nanorods. This technique allows multiple molecular signatures to be obtained by simply switching laser wavelength. HER2 and EGFR were chosen as the primary target molecules for examining two cancer cells, OECM1 and Cal27. Both in vitro and in vivo mouse model imaging experiments were performed, with contrast enhancement of up to 10 dB and 3.5 dB, respectively. The potential in improving cancer diagnosis is demonstrated.