Researchers at Duke University have combined an FDA approved immunotherapy and a gold nanostar/laser treatment to completely eradicate tumors and vaccinate against the cancer.
The team’s technique involves injecting gold nanoparticles into the bloodstream. These star-shaped nanoparticles (nanostars) can accumulate in tumors after circulating within the blood. Then the tumor is blasted with a laser, causing the nanoparticles to heat up and burning the tumor.
“The nanostar spikes work like lightning rods, concentrating the electromagnetic energy at their tips,” said Tuan Vo-Dinh, a researcher at Duke University.