pH-Sensitive and Long-Circulation Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging-Monitored and Chemo-Photothermal Synergistic Treatment Against Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Gastrectomy is the primary therapeutic option for gastric cancer. Postoperative treatment also plays a crucial role. The strategy to improve the postoperative prognosis of gastric cancer requires a combined system that includes a more efficient synergistic treatment and real-time monitoring after surgery. In this study, photothermal-chemotherapy combined nanoparticles (PCC NPs) were prepared via π-π stacking to perform chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy and continuous imaging of gastric cancer. PCC NPs had a spherical morphology and good monodispersity under aqueous conditions. The hydrodynamic diameter of PCC NPs was 59.4 ± 3.6 nm. PCC NPs possessed strong encapsulation ability, and the maximum drug loading rate was approximately 37%. The NPs exhibited extraordinary stability and pH-response release profiles. The NPs were rapidly heated under irradiation. The maximum temperature was close to 58°C. PCC NPs showed good biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the NPs could effectively be used for in vivo continuous monitoring of gastric cancer. After one injection, the fluorescent signal remained in tumor tissues for nearly a week. The inhibitory effect of PCC NPs was evaluated in a gastric cancer cell line and xenograft mouse model. Both in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated that PCC NPs could be used for chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy. The suppression effect of PCC NPs was significantly better than that of single chemotherapy or photothermal treatment. This study lays the foundation for the development of novel postoperative treatments for gastric cancer.

Preparation of Near-Infrared/Photoacoustic Dual-Mode Imaging and Photothermal/Chemo Synergistic Theranostic Nanoparticles and Their Imaging and Treating of Hepatic Carcinoma

“…According to our previous study, DIST NPs were labeled with a green fluorescence for confocal microscopic observation (36). The results show that the DIST NPs can effectively enter the BEL-7402 cells.…”

“…After referring to a variety of preparation protocols, DIST NPs were labeled with coumarin 6 to have a green fluorescence (24,36). BEL-7402 cells were then planted in 3.5-cm glass-bottom dishes (1 × 10 5 cells/dish) and cultured at 37°C and 5% CO 2 for 48 h. Then, the cells were incubated with fluorescence-labeled DIST NPs and observed at different time points by a laser scanning confocal microscope (TCS SPT, Leica, Germany).…”

“…Secondly, as an artificial melanin, PDA also has good PAI and PTT abilities. In addition, the nanocarriers formed by PDA can also realize the ultra-long circulation and pH-responsive release in vivo (24,36). These properties ensure that the prepared nanocarriers can effectively integrate a variety of functions.…”

Nanotechnology-based strategies for gastric cancer imaging and treatment

“…87 Zhou et al encapsulated doxorubicin into a pH-sensitive and long circulation nanoparticle for chemo-photothermal synergistic treatment. 88 The suppression of this nanosystem was signicantly better than single chemotherapy or photothermal treatment. Dual-targeting hybrid nanoparticles for SN38 delivery to Her2 and CD44 overexpressed gastric cancer was reported by Yang and his colleagues.…”

Albumin/fibrinogen ratio, a predictor of chemotherapy resistance and prognostic factor for advanced gastric cancer patients following radical gastrectomy

“…Although surgical resection remains the mainstay treatment for GC, the high postoperative recurrence incidence is a great threat to GC patients [ 2 ]. Thus, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is a quite important supplementary treatment [ 3 ]. In Asia, curative resection with D2 lymphadenectomy in combination with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy remains the standard treatment option for stage II/III GC [ 4 ].…”