In vivo targeted magnetic resonance imaging and visualized photodynamic therapy in deep-tissue cancers using folic acid-functionalized superparamagnetic-upconversion nanocomposites

Abstract

Multifunctional nanoprobes used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) also have potential applications in diagnosis and visualized therapy of cancers, and hence it is important to investigate the active-targeting ability and in vivo reliability of these nanoprobes. In this work, folic acid (FA)-targeted, photosensitizer (PS)-loaded Fe3O4@NaYF4:Yb/Er (FA-NPs-PS) nanocomposites were synthesized for in vivo T2-weighted MRI and visualized PDT of cancers by modeling MCF-7 tumor-bearing nude mice. By measuring the upconversion luminescence (UCL) and fluorescence emission spectra, the as-prepared FA-NPs-PS nanocomposites showed near-infrared (NIR)-triggered PDT performance due to the production of a singlet oxygen species. Moreover, by tracing PS fluorescence in MCF-7, HeLa cells and in MCF-7 tumors, the FA-targeted nanocomposites demonstrated good targeting ability both in vitro and in vivo. Under the irradiation of a 980 nm laser, the viabilities of MCF-7 and HeLa cells incubated with FA-NPs-PS nanocomposites could decrease to about 18.4% and 30.7%, respectively, and the inhibition of MCF-7 tumors could reach about 94.9%. The transverse MR relaxivity of 63.79 mM(-1) s(-1) (r2 value) and in vivo MR imaging of MCF-7 tumors indicated an excellent T2-weighted MR performance. This work demonstrated that FA-targeted MRI/PDT nanoprobes are effective for in vivo diagnosis and visualized therapy of breast cancers.

A review and outlook in the treatment of osteosarcoma and other deep tumors with photodynamic therapy: from basic to deep

“…The researches of UCNPs have shown low toxicity and high biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo , which suggests the clinical use in OS treatment [124–127]. Of the various modifications of RE materials, the erbium-doped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4:Er 3+ ) system is the most valuable in UCNP-induced PDT, along with ytterbium- and thulium-doped systems, which commonly use a core-shell structure [128–130].…”

“…Beyond the luminous energy transition, UCNP-linked PSs have shown good imaging performance. Zeng's research showed that tumor tissue exposed to NaYF 4 :Yb/Er-based Fe 3 O 4 NPs as T2-weighted MRI contrast agents was significantly darker in vitro and in vivo and inhibition of MCF-7 and HeLa cells was seen with 980-nm laser irradiation [127]. …”

Recent Advances on Inorganic Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Therapeutic Agents

“…Zeng et al have also demonstrated the NIR PDT with folic acid (FA)-functionalized, photosensitizer (PS)-loaded Fe 3 O 4 @NaYF 4 : Yb/Er (FA-NPs-PS) nanocomposites both in vitro and in vivo [78]. The PDT caused viabilities of MCF-7 and Hela cells were first studied in vitro.…”

“…( a ) The relative tumor volume change in different groups; ( b ) the body weight change of mice in different groups; and ( c ) images of different groups of MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice at the beginning and at the end of 15-day treatments. Reprinted with permission from [78]. …”

Lipid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for dual-modal imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Thus, the combination of FI and MRI into a single nanostructure can offer robust imaging capabilities with the prospect of improved detection accuracy in clinical diagnosis. [29][30][31] To date, there is no commercial probe available in the market with MRI/FI dual-modal capabilities. In the present study, a multifunctional nanoplatform consist of galactosyl conjugated P 123 (Gal-P 123 )-modified IR783-Fe 3 O 4 (GPC@IR783-Fe 3 O 4 ) NPs was designed for dual-modal fluorescence and MR imaging of tumors.…”