Enhancing the effects of chemotherapy by combined macrophage-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) and photochemical internalization (PCI)

Abstract

Light-based treatment modalities such as photothermal therapy (PTT) or photochemical internalization (PCI) have been well documented both experimentally and clinically to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy. The main purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effects of silica-gold nanoshell (AuNS)-loaded macrophage-mediated (Ma) PTT and bleomycin BLM-PCI on monolayers of squamous cell carcinoma cells. The two modalities were applied separately and in simultaneous combination. Two different wavelengths of light were employed simultaneously, one to activate a highly efficient PCI photosensitizer, AlPcSa (670 nm) and the other for the Ma-mediated PTT (810 nm), to evaluate the combined effects of these modalities. The results clearly demonstrated that macrophages could ingest sufficient numbers of silica-gold nanoshells for efficient near infrared (NIR) activated PTT. A significant synergistic effect of simultaneously applied combined PTT and PCI, compared to each modality applied separately, was achieved. Light-driven therapies have the advantage of site specificity, non-invasive and non-toxic application, require inexpensive equipment and can be given as repetitive treatment protocols.

Neoadjuvant Gold Nanoshell-Based Photothermal Therapy Combined with Liposomal Doxorubicin in a Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer

“…Remote loading of 64 Cu 2+ into stealth® liposomes (HSPC: Chol: DSPE-PEG2k in the molar ratio 56.5:38.2:5.3) was done as previously described. 20 Briefly, 2.2 mL 6.6 mM stealth® liposomes were added to 650 MBq dried 64 CuCl 2 and stirred at 55 ℃ for 75 minutes. The labeling efficiency and fraction of free 64 Cu 2+ were characterized using PD10 column separation and Radio-TLC.…”

“… 19 In accordance with this idea, the combination of laser treatment with chemotherapy has shown to be able to potentiate the effect of the chemotherapeutic drugs. 20 Studies have proven that DNA damaging agents, such as doxorubicin (DOX), are more effective when combined with hyperthermia since DNA repair is temperature-dependent. 21–23 In fact, Caelyx®/Doxil®, a polyethylene glycosylated (PEGylated) liposomal formulation of DOX, is FDA-approved for multiple indications.…”

Controllable Preparation and Research Progress of Photosensitive Antibacterial Complex Hydrogels

“…Figure 2 illustrates the biological mechanism of action of photodynamic therapy (PDT) [64], and Figure 3 shows hyperthermia-based photothermal therapy (PTT) [65]. Both treatments range from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR; NIR is an electromagnetic wave between visible and medium infrared light).…”

Nanomedicine-enabled chemotherapy-based synergetic cancer treatments

“…Numerous novel chemodrugs have been developed or synthesized for combating cancer since World War II. However, various undesirable side effects and multiple drug resistance (MDR) [ 4 ] induced by chemotherapy make cancer treatment highly prone to failure [ 5 ]. Also, the harsh tumor microenvironment that hinders chemical drug penetration usually leads to disappointing clinical outcomes.…”