Gold nanocages as contrast agents for two-photon luminescence endomicroscopy imaging.

We explored the possibility of using gold (Au) nanocages as a new class of exogenous contrast agents for endomicroscopic nonlinear imaging. The two-photon luminescence cross-section of nanocages was characterized. Two-photon luminescence endomicroscopy imaging of a phantom, cancer cells and biological tissues was performed, demonstrating that Au nanocages can potentially serve as an effective molecular contrast agent for nonlinear endomicroscopy imaging. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this study, the utility of Au nanocages is described in a variety of settings as effective molecular contrast agent for nonlinear endomicroscopy imaging.