LAUSR

This investigation reports the quality-by-design (QbD) assisted novel templated approach for developing cancer cell-specific and laser-activatable nanoseeds (AuraTherm) for targeted photothermal ablation of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). AuraTherm was nanometric in size as characterized by SEM, TEM, and particle analysis (75.15 ± 3.11 nm; -21.80 ±0.17 mV) with hemocompatibility and neutrality towards blood components. AuraTherm showed reversible photothermal effect (ΔT: 37±1.2 °C → 49.4±1.5 °C; 15 min; 2.4 W/cm2 ) employing near infrared-808 nm laser (NIR-808). The targeted cytosolic localization led to a significant anticancer activity as evaluated using apoptosis assay, cell cycle analysis, Intracellular ROS generation assay, cellular uptake, and receptor binding assay. The NIR-808 laser-responsive photothermal ablation of cancer cell was found to be more effective compared to without NIR-808 laser-treated counterparts, suggesting the fundamental role of photothermal ablation in the treatment of TNBC.