Shape-Controllable Tellurium-Driven Heterostructures with Activated Robust Immunomodulatory Potential for Highly Efficient Radiophotothermal Therapy of Colon Cancer

Abstract

Tellurium (Te)-based semiconductor easily leads to the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs (h+–e–) that severely limits the efficiency of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and further hinders its clinical application in biomedicine. With regard to these problems, herein we designed and synthesized a Te heterostructure (BTe-Pd-Au) by incorporating palladium (Pd) and gold (Au) elements to promote its radiosensitivity and photothermal performance, thus realizing highly efficient radiophotothermal tumor elimination by activating robust immunomodulatory potential. This shape-controllable heterostructure that coated by Pd on the surface of Te nanorods and Au in the center of Te nanorods was simply synthesized by using in situ synthesis method, which could promote the generation and separation of h+–e– pairs, thereby exhibiting superior ROS producing ability and photothermal conversion efficiency. Using a mouse model of colon cancer, we proved that BTe-Pd-Au-R-combined radiophotothermal therapy not only eradicated tumor but also elicited to a series of antitumor immune responses by enhancing the cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering dendritic cells maturation, and decreasing the percentage of M2 tumor-associated macrophages. In summary, our study highlights a facile strategy to design Te-driven heterostructure with versatile performance in radiosensitization, photothermal therapy, and immunomodulation and offers great promise for clinical translational treatment of colon cancer.

Development of nanotechnology-mediated precision radiotherapy for anti-metastasis and radioprotection

“…to elicit stronger systemic immunity for yielding stronger abscopal effect. 43,[528][529][530][531][532] CDT is an emerging therapy modality that converts intracellular H 2 O 2 into more harmful OH to kill cancer cells. 129 For example, Wang et al combined RT with CDT to activate systemic antitumor immunity against primary and metastatic tumors.…”

Tween-20-Modified BiVO4 Nanorods for CT Imaging-Guided Radiotherapy of Tumor

“…Nanomaterials containing high atomic number elements are attracting considerable critical attention, which can absorb X-rays not only to act as radiosensitizers to deposit radiation energy and secondary electrons within DNA but also have the ability to increase ROS generation to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation. ,− Specifically, the relationship between the X-ray absorption coefficient (μ) and the atomic number ( Z ) can be expressed as μ = ρ Z 4 /( AE 3 ), where A is the atomic mass and E is the X-ray energy, indicating that nanomaterials that possess higher density (ρ) or atomic number ( Z ) are inclined to have stronger X-ray attenuation ability and better X-ray absorption. The strong relationship (μ ∼ Z 4 ) between the X-ray absorption coefficient and atomic number is of great significance for developing radiosensitizers. , Until now, many radiosensitizers containing high- Z elements have been explored to improve the radiotherapeutic efficacy, including Au, W, Bi, − I, Gd, etc. , Among these radiosensitizers, Bi-based nanomaterials attract particular interest because of their highest atomic number element ( Z = 83) among all nonradiative elements, K-edge value of 90.5 keV, and excellent X-ray attenuation properties (5.74 cm 2 g –1 at 100 keV), which are strongly favorable for application in radiosensitizers. ,− Moreover, Bi is very stable at room temperature and less toxic, which could be applied to various medical applications. ,− As a result, the development of biocompatible and efficient Bi-based nanomaterials as radiosensitizers is of great significance to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy-related treatments.…”

Maneuvering Tellurium Chemistry to Design Metal–Telluride Heterostructures for Diverse Applications

“…Additionally, metal–tellurides have a shorter bandgap and absorb light at longer wavelength; hence, their applications in solar-energy-harvesting devices is gradually gaining momentum. The structural variety and distinct properties of Te-based nanocrystals prompted researchers to design and generate several intriguing metal–telluride heterostructures with unique properties and enhanced performances in their technological applications. − Among these, several disk or dot on Te nanorod, ,,− twin, core/shell, − and other complex metal–telluride heterostructures − have been synthesized and explored for various applications. ,− ,, …”

“…38−41 Among these, several disk or dot on Te nanorod, 39,40,42−50 twin, 51 core/shell, 51−65 and other complex metal−telluride heterostructures 66−78 have been synthesized and explored for various applications. 73,[79][80][81][82][83][84]3,85 Hence, in this review, we put more emphasis on the chemistry of the solution-processed synthesis of metal− telluride heterostructures featuring diverse components, which already hold technological promise for well-defined applications owing to their improved physical and chemical properties and are anticipated to greatly impact the future design and development of more desirable hierarchical materials.…”