Abstract
Gold nanorods and silver nanoplates have absorption bands in near-infrared light region, and generate heat when excited with the near-infrared light. Since the near-infrared light penetrates deeply into tissues, the gold nanorods and silver nanoplates can be heated under the near-infrared light irradiation from outside of the body. Therefore, combining a drug with the gold nanorod via heat labile linkage, drug-release can be controlled by near-infrared light irradiation. In addition, a pulsed laser, which emits high energy intensity instantaneously, is used to release the drug more effectively. A simple combination of drugs, metal nanoparticles, and light irradiation that enables to release a required amount of drug at a target site and an expected timing.
