Photothermal Ablation of Endometriosis Possible Using Nanomedicine

Using photoresponsive nanoparticles loaded with dye, researchers at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy and the Oregon National Primate Research Center have developed a way to identify and remove lesions associated with endometriosis, a common gynecological condition in women of childbearing age. The research team, which has expertise in nanomedicine and endometriosis, developed and evaluated the photoresponsive nanoagent to detect and eliminate unwanted endometrial tissue with photothermal ablation. The scientists used polymeric materials less than 100 nm in size, which were packed with a dye that could generate both a fluorescence signal and cell-killing heat under near-infrared light. The dye-loaded nanoparticles are...