“One-Pot” Fabrication of Highly Versatile and Biocompatible Poly(vinyl alcohol)-porphyrin-based Nanotheranostics

Abstract

Nanoparticle-based theranostic agents have emerged as a new paradigm in nanomedicine field for integration of multimodal imaging and therapeutic functions within a single platform. However, the clinical translation of these agents is severely limited by the complexity of fabrication, long-term toxicity of the materials, and unfavorable biodistributions. Here we report an extremely simple and robust approach to develop highly versatile and biocompatible theranostic poly(vinyl alcohol)-porphyrin nanoparticles (PPNs). Through a “one-pot” fabrication process, including the chelation of metal ions and encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs, monodispersenanoparticle could be formed by self-assembly of a very simple and biocompatible building block (poly(vinyl alcohol)-porphyrin conjugate). Using this approach, we could conveniently produce multifunctional PPNs that integrate optical imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT) and drug delivery functions in one formulation. PPNs exhibited unique architecture-dependent fluorescence self-quenching, as well as photodynamic- and photothermal- properties. Near-infrared fluorescence could be amplified upon PPN dissociation, providing feasibility of low-background fluorescence imaging. Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded PPNs achieved 53 times longer half-life in blood circulation than free DOX. Upon irradiation by near infrared light at a single excitation wavelength, PPNs could be activated to release reactive oxygen species, heat and drugs simultaneously at the tumor sites in mice bearing tumor xenograft, resulting in complete eradication of tumors. Due to their organic compositions, PPNs showed no obvious cytotoxicity in mice via intravenous administration during therapeutic studies. This highly versatile and multifunctional PPN theranostic nanoplatform showed great potential for the integration of multimodal imaging and therapeutic functions towards personalized nanomedicine against cancers.

Photodynamic therapy: A hot topic in dermato-oncology (Review)

“…Nanotheranostics is a new medical field which combines the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into one nanoplatform (45). Theranostic nanoparticles could have a great impact on cancer management and could make personalized medicine possible (45)(46)(47)(48)(49). Nanoparticles used in nanotheranostics could therefore carry both anticancer agents and imaging probes such as MRI contrast agents to tumors or they could simultaneously deliver multiple therapeutic agents such as chemotherapy and PDT (45).…”

Nanotechnology for Cancer Therapy Based on Chemotherapy

“…Moreover, PPNs could prolong the half-life of DOX 53 times in blood circulation and exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity. The properties of PDT and PTT and unique fluorescence self-quenching were showed in the PPNs, which could be a promising method in the field of personalized nanomedicine against cancers [ 241 ]. Furthermore, one example of biocompatible nanoplatforms assembling three imaging modalities and multiple therapeutic functions was illustrated by Liu et al The nanoplatform was synthesized by grafting Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with PEI modified MoS 2 , followed by the load of ICG and platinum (IV) prodrugs on the surface of Fe 3 O 4 grafted MoS 2 .…”

Recent advances in nanoparticle carriers for photodynamic therapy

“…In contrast to other chemical drugs, PSs can provide a therapeutic effect while they are conjugated to other materials like polymers or NPs, because the generated ROS kill the cells, not the PSs themselves. A recent study by Luo et al is a good example of NPs based on conjugation between polymers and PSs (17). They conjugated pyropheophorbide a as a PS to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by ester bond to make an amphiphilic structure, which formed a self-assembled micelle structure.…”