Ultra-small NIR-Responsive Nanotheranostic Agent for Targeted Photothermal Ablation Induced Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) from Post-PTT of Tumor Cells Activate Immunogenic Cell Death

Abstract

Theranostic nanoparticles (TNPs) is an efficient avenue that culminates both diagnosis and therapy into cancer treatment. Herein, we have formulated a theranostic nanocomposite (NC) with CuS being the ultra-small core component. To ensure stability to the NC, PEI was added which is a vital anchoring group polymer, especially on sulfide surfaces, and adds quality by being a better stabilizer and reducing agent. Additionally, to add stability, specificity, and added photothermal efficiency to the fabricated NC. In addition, encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG), an efficient NIR absorber, and Folic acid (FA) were conjugated systematically, characterized, and analyzed for photo-stability. The photothermal conversion efficiency of the novel NC (CuS-PEI-ICG-FA) was analyzed at 808 nm, where the NC efficiently converted light energy to heat energy. The NC was also tested for hemocompatibility to clarify and also determined biocompatibility. Surprisingly, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from post-PTT of tumor cells activate immunogenic cell death (ICD) for tumor-specific immune responses. The deserving photothermal performance and photo-stability makes the NC an ideal platform for photoacoustic imaging (PAI). A superior contrast was observed for PAI in a concentration-dependent manner enhancing the level of penetration into tissues, thereby better imaging. On account of this study, the newly formulated NC could be utilized as a "nanotheranostic" designed for therapeutic and image diagnostic agent of cancer biomedical applications.

Photothermal therapy using graphene quantum dots

“…PTT triggered by NIR light occurs in the tumor and is then subjected to NPs' resonance energy, which produces perfectly synchronized vibrations of NPs' conduction-band electrons, producing heat to avoid the severe infection-related consequences, which typically follow surgery, as well as the harmful chemical side effects associated with chemotherapy, with reduced invasiveness and no visible damage to normal tissue. 16,17 Heating sources, such as NIR or visible light, the magnetic field, ultrasound waves, microwaves, and radio frequency waves, are used to generate a progressive temperature rise in a specified target region, clinically known as hyperthermia. 18 …”

TLR-7/8 Agonist-Loaded Polypyrrole-Based Theranostic Nanovaccine for Second Near-Infrared Photothermal Immunotherapy of Cancer

“…In recent years, photothermal therapy (PTT), which uses optically absorbing materials to “ablate” cancer cells under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, has received huge attention as a potential alternative to traditional cancer therapies. Numerous preclinical animal experiments using diverse NIR light absorbent nanomaterials as potential PT agents (PTAs) have shown the increasing therapeutic potential of PTT. − PTAs should have high absorbance in the NIR region, which is a window of transparency for biological tissues, and be able to effectively convert absorbed NIR optical energy into heat. − NIR-induced PTT (NIR-I, 650–950 nm) has shown outstanding results in both research and clinical trials over the last few years. In comparison with the NIR-I optical window, the NIR-II optical window (1000–1350 nm) offers greater tissue penetration, lower photon absorption and scattering, and maximum permitted exposure (MPE) (1 W/cm 2 ), which makes it more efficient and clinically applicable.…”

GSH/pH dual response drug delivery system for photothermal enhanced gene-immunotherapy

“…[10][11][12][13][14] Indocyanine green (ICG), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved near-infrared imaging agent, boasts NIR absorption and fluorescence emission properties, making it an excellent choice for PTT guided by thermal imaging (TI) and fluorescence imaging (FLI). 15,16 Nonetheless, free ICG exhibits rapid dispersion and metabolism in the body, diminishing its therapeutic efficacy. Consequently, polymer micelles and liposomes are frequently employed to encapsulate ICG, thereby enhancing its tumor permeability and retention (EPR), as well as augmenting photothermal properties and biocompatibility.…”