Purpose: Plasmonic photo thermal therapy (PPTT) is a therapeutic method in which the photon energy is rapidly transformed into heat via a series of radiative and non-radiative phenomena to ablate cancer. Plasmonic NPs, such as silver NPs (Ag NPs), have considerable properties in optical absorbance. Furthermore, good thermal conductivity and cell penetration ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could improve the efficacy of Ag NPs for PPTT. Decoration of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with silver has been developed to enhance thermal conductivity of the MWCNT particles. Methods: The Ag NPs were decorated on the CNTs and the ability of these particles (CNT/Ag NPs) in reduction of melanoma tumor size after PTT was evaluated experimentally. For comparison, the PTT of silver nanorods (Ag NRs) and CNTs were investigated. The melanoma tumor was induced by injection of B16/F10 cell line to the inbred mice. Different NPs were injected into the tumors and then irradiated via laser diode (λ=670 nm, P=500 mW, and I= 3.5 W/cm2) at scheduled time. Results: Monitoring of tumor sizes showed that integration of CNTs with silver could enhance the optical absorption of CNTs and improve tumor destruction in PPTT technique. Conclusion: The CNT/Ag NPs could act as a potent agent in PPTT method in curing solid tumors.
Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Laser diode; Melanoma cancer; Plasmonic photo thermal therapy; Silver nanorods.