3D-Printed, Implantable Alginate/CuS Nanoparticle Scaffolds for Local Tumor Treatment via Synergistic Photothermal, Photodynamic, and Chemodynamic Therapy

Abstract

A promising method for treating cancer is localized therapy, which mainly employs hydrogel-based delivery systems. Recently, the capability of 3D printing techniques has been revealed as a promising tool to tackle cancer. In this work, alginate (Alg)-based 3D-printed implantable scaffolds containing bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles, Alg-CuS/BSA, were fabricated for local breast cancer therapy and applied to inhibit tumor development through utilizing synergistic photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic effects. The Alg-CuS/BSA scaffolds were flexible; however, their modulus was significantly lower than that of human breast tissues. Under 808 nm irradiation, the scaffolds demonstrated efficient photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic effects both in vitro and in vivo via improving photothermal transduction and singlet-oxygen formation, and also as Fenton catalysts, the scaffolds produced hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H2O2 within the tumor microenvironment. Without the use of conventional anticancer drugs, the promising tumor treatment of implanted scaffolds can offer potential applications in local cancer treatment and prevent metastasis after surgical removal of tumors.

Flax fibre reinforced alginate poloxamer hydrogel: assessment of mechanical and 4D printing potential

“…11 Particles can be added to these hydrogels for changing their mechanical and biomedical properties. 12,13 When added to hydrogels, flax fibres have shown cytocompatibility and biosafety. 14 These fibres were implemented as a net in PVA hydrogel to highlight their greater mechanical properties, water absorption capability but lower thermal stability compared to polypropylene and jute reinforced PVA hydrogels.…”

T Cell and Natural Killer Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles for Cancer and Viral Therapies

“…Thermal therapy using light, also known as photothermal therapy (PTT), offers several benefits as a promising cancer treatment. , These advantages include improved effectiveness, noninvasiveness, and reduced harm to healthy tissues . The technique utilizes the ability of nanomaterials to convert optical light into heat energy and eliminate cancerous cells.…”

Current Biomedical Applications of 3D-Printed Hydrogels

“…The nanoparticles served as a reservoir for releasing Cu 2+ , which produces intracellular ROS, and as a photothermal agent [110]. Likewise, copper sulfide nanoparticles have also been used to generate a hydrogel with efficient photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic effects against tumors in mice [111]. Magnetic microparticles and nanoparticles have been used to develop hydrogels that can respond to magnetic fields for actuation and drug delivery.…”

“…Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been used to fabricate constructs, such as milli-grippers and microrobots, that respond to magnetic fields not only for actuation but also for drug delivery [78,113]. On the other hand, copper nanoparticles, which are responsive to near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, have been incorporated in 3D-printed hydrogels to fabricate constructs with photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic properties that can be used against cancer [110,111]. In addition to exploiting the photoactive characteristics of copper nanoparticles, laser irradiation has also been used to activate hydrogel composites that can release doxorubicin for chemo-photothermal therapy [185], as well as VEGF for wound healing [95,114].…”