Lasers, Optics & Photonics

PLGA nanocomposites were developed by incorporating a photosensitizer, verteporfin and gold nanoparticles into this polymeric matrix and utilised for enhanced photoynamic therapy on cancer cells. Both enhanced fluorescence and 1O2 generation from verteporfin were observed in this new formulation under both 425 nm LED and 405 nm laser illumination. A maximum  nhancement factor of 2.5 for fluorescence and 1.84 for 1O2 generation was obtained when the molar ratio of gold: VP was 5:1 and excited at 425 nm, compared with PLGA doped with verteporfin alone. The experiment results could be explained by the local electric field enhancement of gold anoparticles. Furthermore, improved therapeutic efficacy in human pancreatic cancer cells, PANC-1, was also demonstrated by using this new formulation following light exposure, indicating the utility of these nanocomposites in enhanced  hotodynamic therapy.