TECHNOLOGY

Introducing the First Ultra-Focal
Nanoshell Technology

Nanospectra’s proprietary technology platform is demonstrated to be safe and effective in initial clinical trials and viable for multiple applications including solid tumors, tissue and drug delivery.

AUROLASE THERAPY

The company’s principal focus is the development of AuroLase® Therapy for the ablation of solid tumors. Nanospectra’s AuroLase Therapy utilizes the unique ‘optical tunability’ of a new class of nanoparticles, called AuroShells®. These nanoparticles absorb near-infrared wavelengths of light that harmlessly penetrate human tissue. The particles are delivered intravenously and accumulate in the tumor. Then the tumor is illuminated with a near-infrared laser. The particles selectively absorb the photonic laser energy, converting the light into heat, which in turn, destroys the tumor and the blood vessels supplying it; sparing adjacent tissue.

AuroLase Therapy is used with an FDA-cleared laser that emits near-infrared energy with the clinical study specified parameters (power, duty cycle, treatment time) and with an FDA-cleared fiber optic probe for energy delivery percutaneously. AuroShell particles (also known as “nanoshells“) consist of a gold metal shell and a non-conducting silica core and serve as the exogenous absorber of the near-infrared laser energy delivered by the probe.

AuroLase Therapy components include:

  • off-the-shelf near-infrared laser source
  • off-the-shelf interstitial fiber optic probe for delivery of laser energy to a site near or inside the tumor
  • investigational AuroShell particles, a near-infrared absorbing, inert material designed to absorb and convert photonic laser energy into heat

AuroShells: Tumor-Specific Targeting

NORMAL VESSEL ENDOTHELIUM
  • Tight junctions in endothelial layer
  • Particles unable to pass from blood supply
  • Cleared from bloodstream by reticuloendothelial system (RES)
TUMOR VESSEL ENDOTHELIUM
  • Gaps in epithelial layer allow particles to pass from blood stream into tumor
  • Enhanced Permeability & Retention (RPR) results in tumor specific accumulation of nanoshells

AuroShells are delivered intravenously and due to their small size they are able to accumulate in the tumor through its leaky vasculature. The particles are unable to access normal vasculature and therefore do not accumulate in healthy tissue. Once the particles accumulate in the tumor, the area is illuminated with a near-infrared laser at wavelengths chosen to allow the maximum penetration of light through tissue. The AuroShells are designed to absorb this wavelength and convert the photonic laser energy into heat sufficient to ablate the tumor.

AuroLase for the Ablation

of Prostate Cancer Tissue

AuroLase Therapy for prostate disease is the first and only ultra-focal tissue ablation therapy designed to maximize treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects typically associated with surgery, radiation, and traditional focal therapies. The company is currently conducting a multi-site clinical trial for prostate disease.

Tumor Ablation using AuroLase Therapy

AuroLase® Therapy combines the unique physical and optical properties of AuroShell® particles with a near-infrared laser source to thermally destroy cancer tissue without significant damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Nanospectra’s proprietary nanoshells circulate freely in the blood stream and collect in the tumor. With state of the art imaging technology, the clinician accurately identifies the lesion and positions the optical fiber probe via targeted MRI Ultrasound fusion technology. The diseased tissue is ablated while sparing the surrounding tissue.

Performed on an outpatient basis, the AuroLase procedure results in significantly fewer side effects enabling the patient to return to a normal lifestyle within days versus weeks. In addition, patients lose no follow-on clinical options.

AuroShell particles are investigational at this current time and only available through designated FDA sanctioned clinical study sites.

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

The following includes selected scientific publications regarding the underlying Nanospectra Biosciences technology.