Jun 23 2011
SouthWest NanoTechnologies' (SWeNT) Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs), in a new research study, show absorption of Indocyanine Green (ICG) -- a functional dye with unique photomechanical, photochemical, and photobiological properties.
The ICG-SWNT complexes formed are sensitive to a broad spectrum of light, ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR), which may help unlock this novel nanosystem for use in potential applications in photothermal cancer therapies. According to the study published in Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, researchers in China showed that, based on the ICG-SWT complexes sensitivity to a broad spectrum of light, "it is expected that an effective phototherapy is not limited to a single light source." This new research demonstrates the potential for future photothermal therapies in the spectrum of visible light.
While photothermal therapies have been attracting more attention in recent years, they typically involve a laser with a single wavelength such as 808 nm, 980 nm, 1064 nm and, most recently 658 nm that when coupled with nanoparticles cause irreversible damage to tumors . "While in previous experiments, the absorption of surfactants and dissolved SWNTs had an additive effect," explains Xiaohui Zhen, lead author of the paper. "Our results show with increased concentrations of SWNTs, typical absorption peaks of ICG monomer (at 700nm to 780 nm) were decreased and typical absorption peak of SWNTs (at 1030nm) was increased."
"We're excited about the potential applications from this this cutting edge research that will hopefully yield new and exciting cancer therapies," explains SWeNT CEO Dave Arthur. "The number of biomedical research studies using our SWCNT that continues to grow, pointing to new opportunities for SouthWest NanoTechnologies, Inc. as the world leader in high quality, Single-Wall and Specialty Multi-Wall (SMW) carbon nanotubes."
The research is supported by the National Basic Research Program of China, the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.