Au/TiO2 nanocomposite as a triple-sensitizer for 808 and 650 nm phototherapy and sonotherapy: Synergistic therapy of melanoma cancer in vitro

Recently, nanomaterial-based treatments, including photothermal therapy (PTT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT), have developed as promising methods in curative cancer approaches. Nanoscale titanium and gold materials are desirable in nanomedicine applications. Herein, a gold/titanium dioxide nanocomposite (Au/TiO2 NC) was synthesized and characterized to activate upon 808 and 650 nm diode lasers irradiation and ultrasound (US) exposure or their combination. The synthesized NC that comprised Au nanoparticles of 11.53 +/- 2.14 nm in diameter, and TiO2 nanorods of 81.72 +/- 29.02 and 22.38 +/- 4.74 nm in length and diameter, respectively, showed great stability and cytocompatibility up to 250 mu g mL(-1). While Au/TiO2 NC was relatively biocompatible, the diode lasers at 808 and 650 nm and US exposure activated Au/TiO2 NC to fight against the C540 (B16/F10) cancer cells. Upon irradiation of both laser light and US exposure in the presence of 50 mu g mL(-1 )Au/TiO2 NC, the cell viability reached to 20%, while in the presence of 100 and 250 mu g mL(-1) Au/TiO2, the cell viability reached to < 1%, and the C540 cells were completely obliterated. Consequently, simultaneous of Au/TiO2 NC, laser irradiation at 808 and 650 nm along with US exposure revolutionized the treatment of malignant C540 cells.

Automated summary

Nanomaterial-based treatments, such as photothermal therapy and sonodynamic therapy, show promise in curative cancer approaches. A nanocomposite of gold and titanium dioxide (Au/TiO2 NC) was synthesized and found to be effective against cancer cells when activated by 808 and 650 nm lasers and ultrasound.