In vivo analysis of biodegradable liposome gold nanoparticles as efficient agents for photothermal therapy of cancer.

We report biodegradable plasmon resonant liposome gold nanoparticles (LiposAu NPs) capable of killing cancer cells through photothermal therapy. The pharmacokinetic study of LiposAu NPs performed in a small animal model indicates in situ degradation in hepatocytes and further getting cleared through the hepato-biliary and renal route. Further, the therapeutic potential of LiposAu NPs tested in mouse tumor xenograft model using NIR laser (750 nm) illumination resulted in complete ablation of the tumor mass, thus prolonging disease-free survival.