The formation and release of aurothioglucose from thioglucose-loaded gold nanoparticles by NIR irradiation: a combined anti-cancer effect of thermotherapy and chemotherapy without the risk of uncontrollable drug burst release and leakage

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have thermotherapy effect on several kinds of solid tumors under the irradiation of near infrared light (NIR). It is caused by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). In this study, we discovered a novel phenomenon accompanied with LSPR. Aurothioglucose, a gold ion complex drug, can be formed and released from thioglucose-loaded gold nanoparticles (S-glc-GNPs) by NIR irradiation. It has not been noticed by other researchers before we discovered it. The formation and releasing of aurothioglucose from S-glc-GNPs after NIR irradiation was confirmed via high resolution mass spectrometry. Due to the anti-cancer effect of aurothioglucose, S-glc-GNPs displayed a combined anti-cancer effect of thermotherapy and chemotherapy in cell experiment. Because NIR irradiation is the only switch for the drug release, it could be expected that S-glc-GNPs would have no risk of uncontrollable aurothioglucose burst release and leakage without NIR irradiation.