Albumin-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles for targeted photothermal treatment of glioma

Brain tumors are hard to cure due to the life-threatening impact on the vital function areas of brain plus the blood-brain barrier caused poor drug delivery to brain. In this study, we utilized the human serum albumin (HSA) as a template to synthesize ultrasmall platinum nanoparticle for targeted photothermal treatment of glioma. The HSA-encapsulated platinum nanoparticle (HSA-Pt) possessed uniform size and shape, and represented excellent photothermal effect. As an endogenous protein in blood, HSA endowed HSA-Pt great biocompatibility and prolonged blood circulation time. In a subcutaneous model, HSA-Pt accumulated more in tumors than the control nanoparticle due to its long circulation time, resulting in more efficient photothermal regression of tumors. Furthermore, in an orthotropic glioma model, HSAPt was able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target to glioma, and the tumors were significantly suppressed by photothermal therapy. This study suggests HSA-Pt associated targeted photothermal therapy can be used for the treatment of brain tumors.