  Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the deadliest and most aggressive
cancers, remarkably resilient to current therapeutic treatments. Here, we
report in vivo studies of GBM treatments based on photo-nanotherapeutics able
to induce synergistic killing mechanisms. Core-shell nanoparticles have been
weaponized by combining the photophysical properties of an Ir(III) complex - a
new generation PDT agent - with the thermo-plasmonic effects of resonant gold
nanospheres. To investigate the damages induced in GBM treated with these
nanosystems and exposed to optical radiation, we recurred to the X-ray phase
contrast tomography (XPCT). This high-resolution 3D imaging technique
highlighted a vast devascularization process by micro-vessels disruption, which
is responsible of a tumor elimination without relapse.
