Advancing precision photothermal therapy by integrating armored gold nanostars with real-time photoacoustic thermometry and imaging

Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising strategy for cancer treatment; however, nanoparticle instability and lack of precise imaging tools for real-time temperature monitoring during therapy and nanoparticle tracking have hindered investigations in animal models. To address these critical issues, we present a theranostic platform that seamlessly integrates armored core-gold nanostar (AC-GNS)-mediated PTT with full-view photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), enabling nanoparticle tracking and real-time imaging-guided PTT in deep tissues. The AC-GNS platform delivered exceptional photostability and thermal resilience beyond those of conventional nanoparticles while serving as a high-performance contrast agent for PACT and a photothermal transducer for PTT. Integrating AC-GNS-mediated PTT with noninvasive PACT enabled whole-body nanoparticle tracking, PTT treatment monitoring via thermal imaging, and thermal dose determination, culminating in a 100% survival rate in a murine bladder cancer model without long-term treatment-related toxicity. This theranostic platform lays the foundation for broader research applications and provides opportunities for advancing solid tumor treatment and response assessment research.