Enhancing tumor's skin photothermal therapy using Gold nanoparticles : a Monte Carlo simulation

Lasers Med Sci. 2024 May 16;39(1):130. doi: 10.1007/s10103-024-04072-5.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate how the introduction of Gold nanoparticles GNPs into a skin tumor affects the ability to absorb laser light during multicolor laser exposure. The Monte Carlo Geant4 technique was used to construct a cubic geometry simulating human skin, and a 5 mm tumor spheroid was implanted at an adjustable depth x. Our findings show that injecting a very low concentration of 0.01% GNPs into a tumor located 1 cm below the skin's surface causes significant laser absorption of up to 25%, particularly in the 900 nm to 1200 nm range, resulting in a temperature increase of approximately 20%. It is an effective way to raise a tumor's temperature and cause cell death while preserving healthy cells. The addition of GNPs to a tumor during polychromatic laser exposure with a wavelength ranging from 900 nm to 1200 nm increases laser absorption and thus temperature while preserving areas without GNPs.

Keywords: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs); Monte Carlo code; Photothermal therapy; Tumor’s skin.

MeSH terms

  • Gold*
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Monte Carlo Method*
  • Photothermal Therapy* / methods
  • Skin / radiation effects
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / therapy