Quintuple-modality (SERS-MRI-CT-TPL-PTT) plasmonic nanoprobe for theranostics.

A unique quintuple-modality theranostic nanoprobe (QMT) is developed with gold nanostars for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), two-photon luminescence (TPL) imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT). The synthesized gold nanostars were tagged with a SERS reporter and linked with an MRI contrast agent Gd(3+). In vitro experiments demonstrated the developed QMT nanoprobe to be a potential theranostic agent for future biomedical applications.