Biomaterial coated nanostructures for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy of tumor lesions

Metal based nanoparticles

• coated with a polymer functionalized with thiol groups and —NH groups, said polymer preferably being selected among thiolated chitosan, thiolated and aminated alginic acid, thiolated and aminated hyaluronic acid, or a protein preferably selected from the group consisting of albumin and gelatin, or a synthetic thiolated and aminated polymer, preferably α-thio-ω-amino polyethylene glycols
• wherein said groups are linked to a ligand of the integrin family receptors, preferably a peptide containing an integrin binding motif, and antibody or part of an antibody, a peptidomimetic or an aptamer, via a heterobifunctional crosslinker,
• the crosslinker bearing functional groups able to bind to amino groups, preferably selected from the group consisting of N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester group (NHS ester), an isocyanate group (—NCO), an isothiocyanate group (—NCS), a Sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester group (sulfo-NHS ester), or a carboxylic acid group which is connected by activation with carbodiimide coupling agents;
• and/or a functional group able to bind thiol groups, preferably selected from the group consisting of:
• a maleimide group, a terminal vinyl group or a terminal alkyne group;
• and/or functional groups able to bind alkynes such as azides;
• and/or functional groups able to bind azides, such as alkynes.