Recent studies reported gold nano rod (AuNRs) exhibit surface plasmonic resonance frequency (SPR) proportional to their aspect ratio. The interaction of AuNRs with electromagnetic radiation corresponding to their SPR could generate local regional heat. With precise control of the aspect ratio, AuNR could interact with near-infrared (NIR) laser light in the biological optical window that best penetrate human tissues to optimize hyperthermia therapy [1]. We exploit AuNRs to conjugate HER-2 antibodies specific for targeting tumor cells. HER-2 was reported to be associated with disease prognosis and clinical theray [2] and was reported to be over-expressed in many types of cancer. In this study, AuNRs was found to present high bio-compatibility and hemo-compatibility. In vitro laser induced hyperthermia study revealed a selective damage of OECM-1 cancer cells targeted by the AuNR probe. We discovered only the use of AuNR combined correct laser wavelength corresponding to SPR of the AuNR could induce effective hyperthermia therapy. In vivo model using tumor bearing SCID mice, an increase in tumor local temperature and improved therapeutic results were discovered in the AuNRs-HER2 treatment group compared to that of AuNRs alone. In conclusion, HER-2 antibodies conjugated AuNR combined NIR laser could be a potent modality in cancer targeting therapy that could minimize side effects attribute to the nanoscale precision of high temperature delivery. Besides, AuNRs showed a tunable SPR within NIR range could be applied for multiplex photo-thermal effect and combined multiple target photo-acoustic molecular imaging for combined diagnosis and therapy in a single platform.

進來的研究顯示奈米金柱表現的表面電漿共振波長與其長寬比呈正相關。金奈米柱與表面電漿共振波長一致的電磁波能互動而產生局部加溫。經由精準的控制長寬比，金奈米柱可吸收位於生物光學窗範疇之近紅外光因而能在未來熱治療中到達人類體內深部[1]。我們將抗人類第二型生長激素受器（HER-2)之抗體與金奈米柱結合以對抗癌症。HER-2曾被報導與癌症之臨床治療與預後息息相關[2]同時在許多種癌症皆有超表現。本研究發現金奈米柱有極高生物相容性及血液相容性。雷射誘發高熱療法之體外測試中發現金奈米柱探針能選擇性的標靶OECM-1癌細胞。我們並發現加以與探針表面電漿共振波長相同的正確的雷射波長，可造成有效的熱療令癌細胞死亡。在使用殖入人類腫瘤的免疫缺陷小鼠活體模型實驗中，我們發現在使用連結抗人類第二型生長激素受器之奈米金柱的組別相較於對照組有顯著之腫瘤局部升溫及療效的改善。總之，結合進紅外雷射與連結抗人類第二型生長激素受器之奈米金柱可發展為癌症標靶治療藥物並因為雷射誘發的高溫會備侷限在非常精準的標靶區域，因此能大幅降低治療之副作用。除此，金奈米柱因具有可調變表面電漿共振波長的特性，將能應用於多重光熱效應誘發上，並因而整合多標的光聲分子造影與光熱治療於一體。