Enhancing laser therapy using PEGylated gold nanoparticles combined with ultrasound and microbubbles

Background Gold nanorod (AuNR) laser therapy (LT) is a non-invasive method of increasing the temperature of a target tissue using near infrared light. In this study, the effects of ultrasound and microbubbles (USMB) with AuNR and LT were investigated on cell viability. Methods MDA-MB-231 cells in suspension were treated with three different treatment combinations of AuNR, LT and USMB (Pneg = 0.6 or 1.0 MPa): (1) AuNR with USMB followed by LT, (2) AuNR and LT followed by USMB, and (3) USMB followed by AuNR and LT. Cells were also exposed to USMB and LT without AuNR. The USMB conditions were: 500 kHz frequency, 16 cycles, 1 kHz pulse repetition frequency for 1 min in the presence of Definity microbubbles (1.7% v/v). AuNR and LT conditions were: mPEG coated AuNR at 3 × 1011 np/mL and 1.9 W/cm2 for 3 min. Following the treatment, cell viability was assessed using propidium iodide (PI) fluorescent marker and flow cytometry (VPI), and colony assay (VCA). Cell viabilities were compared using a non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test and synergism was assessed using the Bliss Independence Model. Results and discussion USMB improved cell death when combined with AuNR and LT. VPI of 17 ± 2% (at 0.6 MPa) and 11 ± 4% (at 1.0 MPa) were observed with combined treatment of AuNR and USMB followed by LT compared to VPI of 60 ± 2% (at 0.6 MPa) and 42 ± 3% (at 1.0 MPa) with USMB alone and VPI of 22 ± 3% for AuNR and LT. The combined effect of AuNR and LT with USMB was additive regardless of treatment order. VCA results agreed with the additive effect caused by combining AuNR and LT with USMB for all treatment orders. In the absence of AuNR, samples exposed to LT prior to USMB at 0.6 MPa increased VPI by 13% (p Conclusion Combining AuNR and LT with USMB resulted in an additive effect on cell viability compared to AuNR and LT, or USMB. In addition, cells exposed to low intensity NIR light appear to be protected against USMB exposure.