Development of Metallic Nanoparticles for Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy Applied in the Treatment of Advanced-Stage Melanomas

The treatment of advanced melanoma remains complex due to resistance to conventional therapies. Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) using gold nanoparticles (TSK-001) offers a promising alternative with direct cytotoxic effects on tumors. This project assesses the internalization, efficacy, and safety of TSK-001-mediated PPTT. In vitro and in vivo studies analyze nanoparticle accumulation and induced tumor cell death in human melanoma cell lines and xenografted mouse models. In vitro efficacy of PPTT using TSK-001 was demonstrated in melanoma cell models, with post-treatment viability assessed. Preliminary data also showed in a syngenic mice model, that TSK001-PPTT reduced tumour growth by 50% in three days. PPTT with TSK-001 represents an effective approach for treating advanced melanoma by directly targeting tumor cells. This method has clinical potential to improve therapeutic outcomes.