Ultrasmall Ag₂Te Quantum Dots with Rapid Clearance for Amplified Computed Tomography Imaging and Augmented Photonic Tumor Hyperthermia

Abstract

With the fast development of nanomedicine, the imaging-guided and photo-induced cancer monotherapies can efficiently eliminate tumor lesions, which are strongly dependent on the construction of versatile theranostic nanoplatforms. Among diverse photo-converting nanoplatforms, silver chalcogenide nanoparticles feature high biocompatibility, narrow band gaps, and tunable optical properties, yet Ag 2 Te-based nanosystems are still at a proof-of-concept stage, and the exploration of Ag 2 Te-based nanosystems suitable for photonic tumor hyperthermia is challenging. Herein, we report on the construction of versatile ultrasmall Ag 2 Te quantum dots (QDs) via a facile biomineralization strategy. Especially, these Ag 2 Te QDs with negligible toxicity and excellent biocompatibility were developed for X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging-guided photonic tumor hyperthermia by near-infrared (NIR) activation. The fabricated Ag 2 Te QDs exhibited a high tumor suppression rate (94.3%) on 4T1 breast tumor animal models due to the high photothermalconversion efficiency (50.5%). Mechanistically, Ag 2 Te QDs were promising potential CT imaging agents for imaging guidance and monitoring during photonic hyperthermia. Importantly, Ag 2 Te QDs were rapidly eliminated from the body via feces and urine because of their ultrasmall sizes. This work not only broadens the biomedical applications of silver chalcogenide-based theranostic nanosystems but also provides the paradigm of theranostic nanosystems with a photonic tumor hyperthermia effect and outstanding contrast enhancement of high-performance CT imaging.

Breaking through the Size Control Dilemma of Silver Chalcogenide Quantum Dots via Trialkylphosphine-Induced Ripening: Leading to Ag2Te Emitting from 950 to 2100 nm

“…A high signal-to-background ratio in vivo tumor imaging was achieved based on cell-membrane-camouflaged Ag 2 Te QDs . Additionally, Ag 2 Te QDs have been reported as a multifunctional contrast agent for fluorescence and computed tomography imaging owing to the intrinsic high atomic number of Ag and Te elements. , The Wang group further enhanced the fluorescence intensity of Ag 2 Te QDs by coating a shell . While promising, it is still a great challenge to tune the emission wavelengths of Ag 2 Te QDs controllably and continuously in a wide NIR-II range.…”

Influence of surface charge of graphene quantum dots on their uptake and clearance in melanoma cells

“…Lately, considerable attention has been focused on clearance mechanism of different kinds of quantum dots primarily driven by low retention of quantum dots within the cells. 22,23,27,28 This has been a major limitation behind the clinical translation of quantum dots as imaging and therapeutic (photothermal, photodynamic) probes. Surface chemistry of quantum dots (mainly inorganic quantum dots) have been shown to exhibit differential clearance kinetics in different cell types including cancer cells.…”

Te–Cefotaxime nanocomposites with restored antibiotic susceptibility and the LED light activated photothermal effect for rapid MRSA eradication

“…It has multiple advantages such as simplicity, reproducible morphology, biocompatibility and good stability, and has been used to synthesize Ag 2 Te/BSA, Bi 2 S 3 /BSA, Te/BSA, etc. 45–47 In this study, Te and Te–CTX were synthesized in BSA nanocages with fructose as the green reactant and are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1a and b.…”