Tumor-Targeting Multifunctional Nanoprobe for Enhanced Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy of Liver Cancer

Abstract

Numerous researchers have committed to the development of combined therapy strategies for tumors, since their use in the treatment of tumors has more ideal therapeutic outcomes. In the study, we designed and prepared gold nanostars with CD147 modified on the surface and then efficiently loaded a photosensitive drug IR820 to construct a multifunctional nanoprobe. Due to the protection effect of gold, the nanoprobe has oxygen/heat energy generation capability and can also efficiently deliver the loaded drugs inside the tumor cells. Moreover, the nanoprobe has excellent photothermal/photodynamic therapeutic outcomes. The observation by photoacoustic real-time imaging validated the outstanding tumortargeting characteristics of our nanoprobe. Finally, in the in vivo treatment experiment, the nanoprobe achieved ideal tumorsuppressive effects after the photothermal/photodynamic therapy. In summary, the findings of this experiment are useful in the development of new combined tumor therapy strategies based on nanomaterials.

Recent Advances and Clinical Potential of Near Infrared Photothermal Conversion Materials for Photothermal Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy

“…[57][58][59] The morphological diversity of PTAs, such as nanostar structures (GNSs), not only heightens the specific surface area of the material to achieve efficient photothermal conversion but also its sharp branches further ramp up light absorption, thereby inspiring scientists' enthusiasm about its continuous exploration for the treatment of tumor as well. [60,61] Shown in Figure 4a, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were encapsulated into spheres by Gd and chemically coupled with matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) on its surface, while the photosensitizing drug IR820 was loaded, followed by in vivo and in vitro dual-modal PTT experiments toward HCC. HCC tumor-bearing rat model was irradiated with 808 nm (NIR-I) laser light at 3-minute intervals along with detected by NIR thermal imager.…”

A Curated Graphene Quantum Dot-Porphyrin-Based Photosensitizer for Effective Singlet Oxygen Generation through Energy Transfer

“…Much effort has been devoted to improving cancer treatment due to the high mortality rate associated with this disease. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted special attention owing to its non-invasive nature and fewer side effects compared to conventional therapeutic strategies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. − Typically, a laser-irradiated photosensitizer transfers its energy to surrounding oxygen molecules to generate highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), in the target tissue, provoking cell death. − Among the photosensitizers studied in vitro and in vivo , porphyrins and their derivatives have received special attention due to their ability to generate 1 O 2 , low toxicity, and unique optical and electronic properties. − However, poor photostability, , hydrophobic nature, tendency to aggregate, and low cell uptake , limit their widespread application in biomedicine. Several approaches attempted to tackle these limitations.…”

Deepened Photodynamic Therapy through Skin Optical Clearing Technology in the Visible Light Window

“…Photodynamic therapy (PDT), referring to the generation of highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photosensitizer (PS) under light irradiation, has played an important role in the treatment of various types of diseases, , including malignant tumors, − vascular-related diseases, and microorganism infections. , Since PDT was proposed, a great number of PSs have been synthesized, including but not limited to porphyrin derivatives, boron dipyrromethene derivatives, − biological dyes, − and metal–organic complexes. , Generally, PDT is accompanied by the PS being initially photoexcited into a singlet state. This singlet PS then transforms into a triplet state through intersystem crossing.…”