Use of an indocyanine green nanoemulsion for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma by photothermal therapy

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer with the highest mortality rate, with surgery being the standard treatment. In this study, the effect of indocyanine green nanoemulsion in an animal model was evaluated for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, using photothermal therapy. Different irradiation protocols, and nanoICG intratumoral and systemic delivery ways were tested. Macroscopic and histological analyses and Kaplan-Meier curves for animal survival are presented for comparison of the different investigated protocols.