Near-Infrared Upconversion Mesoporous Tin Oxide Bio-Photocatalyst for H2O2-Activatable O2-Generating Magnetic Targeting Synergetic Treatment

Preliminary investigation of nitric oxide release from upconverted nanoparticles excited at 808 nm near-infrared for brain tumors

Upconverted UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2 nanoparticles were synthesized via thermal decomposition while employing the energy resonance transfer principle and the excellent near-infrared (NIR) light conversion property of up-conversion. The 808 nm NIR-excited photocontrolled nitric oxide (NO) release platform was successfully developed by electrostatically loading photosensitive NO donor Roussin's black salt (RBS) onto UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2, enabling the temporal, spatial, and dosimetric regulation of NO release for biological applications of NO. The release of NO ranged from 0.015⁓0.099 mM under the conditions of 2.0 W NIR excitation power, 20 min of irradiation time, and UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2&RBS concentration of 0.25⁓1.25 mg/mL. Therefore, this NO release platform has an anti-tumor effect. In vitro experiments showed that under the NIR light, at concentrations of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.8 mg/mL of UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2&RBS, the activity of glioma (U87) and chordoma (U-CH1) cells, as measured by CCK8 assay, was reduced to 50 %. Cell flow cytometry and Western Blot experiments showed that NO released from UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2&RBS under NIR light induced apoptosis in brain tumor cells. In vivo experiments employing glioma and chordoma xenograft mouse models revealed significant inhibition of tumor growth in the NIR and UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2&RBS group, with no observed significant side effects in the mice. Therefore, NO released by UCNPs@mSiO2-NH2&RBS under NIR irradiation can be used as a highly effective and safe strategy for brain tumor therapy.

Quantitative Fluorescent Lateral Flow Strip Sensor for Myocardial Infarction Using Purity-Color Upconversion Nanoparticles

Acute myocardial infarction is a serious cardiovascular disease and poses significant risks to human health. Its early diagnosis and real-time detection are of great importance. Herein, we design a low-cost device that has a high sensitivity of cTnT and cTnI detection. Dual-color upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are prepared as probes, which not only have high-purity red upconversion luminescence (UCL) under 980 or 808 nm excitation but also achieve good temperature sensing. Temperature-dependent multicolor emission excitation is obtained, and the color turns from white to orange and red with increasing temperature. In particular, the maximum SR and SA values based on nonthermally coupled levels are 4.76% K-1 and 8.6% K-1, which are higher than those based on thermally coupled levels. With the UCNPs-based lateral flow strip (LFS), the specific detection of cTnI and cTnT antigens in samples is achieved with a detection limit of 0.001 ng/mL, which is 1 order of magnitude lower than that of their clinical cutoff. The UCNPs-LFS device has a low-cost laser diode and a simplified laser and permits a mobile-phone camera to collect the results, which has an important influence on the field of biomarker sensing.

Self-reported and self-facilitated theranostic oxygen nano-economizer for precise and hypoxia alleviation-potentiated photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been extensively investigated for cancer treatment by virtue of singlet oxygen-induced oxidative damage to tumors. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficiency of PDT is still limited by the low singlet oxygen yield attributed to the improper irradiation duration and the tumor hypoxic microenvironment. To tackle these challenges, we elaborately design a theranostic oxygen nano-economizer to self-report the optimal irradiation duration and alleviate tumor hypoxia simultaneously, which is engineered by fluorescent 9,10-anthracenyl bis (benzoic acid) (DPA)-MOF, tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP), triphenyl phosphine (TPP) and redox-responsive lipid-PEG (DSPE-SS-PEG2k). Upon laser irradiation, the fluorescence of DPA-MOF could be quenched, thereby self-reporting the optimal irradiation duration for sufficient PDT. The decoration of DSPE-SS-PEG2k and TPP endows the theranostic oxygen nano-economizer with a tumor-specific response and mitochondrial targeting capability, respectively. Notably, singlet oxygen generated from TCPP reduces oxygen consumption by disrupting the entire oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway in the mitochondria of tumor cells, further improving the level of singlet oxygen in a self-facilitated manner for hypoxia alleviation-potentiated PDT. As expected, such a self-reported and self-facilitated theranostic oxygen nano-economizer exhibits potent antitumor activity in the 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model. This study offers a theranostic paradigm for precise and hypoxia alleviation-potentiated cancer therapy.

A TiN-based nanophotosensitizer for enhanced photothermal therapy with the aid of ultrasound

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Targeting and uptake are the most important strategies for enhancing the efficacy of cancer photothermal therapy (PTT) and reducing damage to surrounding normal tissues. In this study, a kind of nanophotosensitizer based on nanobubbles and TiN was prepared for synergetic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

The photothermal agent titanium nitride (TiN) was wrapped in nanobubbles by membrane hydration method and verified in cells and animals. CCK-8, cell death staining, and JC-1 were used to verify the pernicious effect of photothermal combined with Ultrasound Targeted Nanobubble Destruction (UTND) and then injected into animals through the tail vein to observe its photothermal effect and in vivo inhibitory effect. A hemolysis test and body weight change verified its safety.

RESULTS

The average diameter of the novel nanophotosensitizer was 300.3 ± 12.7 nm, with a consistent nanospheres morphology. The UTND technology was utilized to improve the penetration of TiN into tumor cells through the physical energy of ultrasound irradiation. The therapeutic effects of the synergistic therapy of UTND and PTT were verified in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The research has established NBs@C3F8-TiN as a suitable ultrasound photothermal agent due to its appropriate size and efficient photothermal efficacy for visual photothermal therapy for HCC.

Recent Progress of Copper-Based Nanomaterials in Tumor-Targeted Photothermal Therapy/Photodynamic Therapy

Nanotechnology, an emerging and promising therapeutic tool, may improve the effectiveness of phototherapy (PT) in antitumor therapy because of the development of nanomaterials (NMs) with light-absorbing properties. The tumor-targeted PTs, such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), transform light energy into heat and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that accumulate at the tumor site. The increase in ROS levels induces oxidative stress (OS) during carcinogenesis and disease development. Because of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) feature of copper (Cu), a vital trace element in the human body, Cu-based NMs can exhibit good near-infrared (NIR) absorption and excellent photothermal properties. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), Cu2+ combines with H2O2 to produce O2 that is reduced to Cu1+ by glutathione (GSH), causing a Fenton-like reaction that reduces tumor hypoxia and simultaneously generates ROS to eliminate tumor cells in conjunction with PTT/PDT. Compared with other therapeutic modalities, PTT/PDT can precisely target tumor location to kill tumor cells. Moreover, multiple treatment modalities can be combined with PTT/PDT to treat a tumor using Cu-based NMs. Herein, we reviewed and briefly summarized the mechanisms of actions of tumor-targeted PTT/PDT and the role of Cu, generated from Cu-based NMs, in PTs. Furthermore, we described the Cu-based NMs used in PTT/PDT applications.

Nanoparticle-Based Photothermal Therapy for Breast Cancer Noninvasive Treatment

Rapid advancements in materials science and nanotechnology, intertwined with oncology, have positioned photothermal therapy (PTT) as a promising noninvasive treatment strategy for cancer. The breast's superficial anatomical location and aesthetic significance render breast cancer a particularly pertinent candidate for the clinical application of PTT following melanoma. This review comprehensively explores the research conducted on the various types of nanoparticles employed in PTT for breast cancer and elaborates on their specific roles and mechanisms of action. The integration of PTT with existing clinical therapies for breast cancer is scrutinized, underscoring its potential for synergistic outcomes. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying PTT and consequential modifications to the tumor microenvironment after treatment are elaborated from a medical perspective. Future research directions are suggested, with an emphasis on the development of integrative platforms that combine multiple therapeutic approaches and the optimization of nanoparticle synthesis for enhanced treatment efficacy. The goal is to push the boundaries of PTT toward a comprehensive, clinically applicable treatment for breast cancer.

Core-satellite nanoreactors based on cationic photosensitizer modified hollow CuS nanocage for ROS diffusion enhanced phototherapy of hypoxic tumor

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency is directly affected by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photosensitizers. However, ROSs' ultrashort life span and limited diffusion distance restrict the PDT efficiency. Therefore, it is important to control the delivery strategy of photosensitizers for PDT treatment. Herein, the core-satellite nanoreactors were fabricated with oxygen generation and ROS diffusion properties. The hollow CuS encapsulating horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was combined with the cationic photosensitizers (PEI-Ce6). The unique photosensitizers delivery strategy makes the nanoreactors achieve ROS diffusion-enhanced PDT effect. First, HRP in "core" (HRP@CuS) can decompose hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to O₂, increasing O₂ levels on the surface of the nanoreactor. Second, the Ce6 molecules covalent-linked with PEI are uniformly dispersed on the surface of CuS as a "satellite", avoiding Ce6 aggregation and causing more Ce6 molecules be activated to produce more ¹O₂. Due to the Ce6 was on the surface of the CuS nanocages, the generated ROS may ensure a larger diffusion range. Meanwhile, the inherently CuS nanocages exhibit photothermal and photoacoustic (PA) effect. The photothermal effect further enhances the ROS diffusion. Under the guidance of PA imaging, nanoreactors exhibit highly efficient hypoxic tumor ablation via photodynamic and photothermal effect. Overall, the core-satellite nanoreactors provide an effective strategy for tumor therapy, further promoting the research of photosensitizers delivery.

Activatable photothermal agents with target-initiated large spectral separation for highly effective reduction of side effects

Photothermal agents (PTAs) with minimized side effects are critical for transforming cancer photothermal therapy (PTT) into clinical applications. However, most currently available PTAs lack true selective activation to reduce side effects because of heavy spectral overlap between photothermal agents and their corresponding products. This study reports the construction of activatable PTAs with target-initiated large spectral separation for highly effective reduction of side effects. Such designed probes involve two H2O2-activatable PTAs, aza-BOD-B1 (single activatable site) and aza-BOD-B2 (multiple activatable site). After interacting with H2O2, aza-BOD-B1 only displays a mild absorption redshift (60 nm) from 750 nm to 810 nm with serious spectral overlap, resulting in a mild photothermal effect on normal tissues upon 808 nm light irradiation. In contrast, aza-BOD-B2 displays a large absorption spectral separation (150 nm) from 660 nm to 810 nm, achieving true selective activation to minimize side effects during PTT of cancer. Besides, in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrated that aza-BOD-B2 can specifically induce photothermal ablation of cancer cells and tumors while leaving normal sites undamaged, whereas aza-BOD-B1 exhibits undesirable side effects on normal cells. Our study provides a practical solution to the problem of undesired side effects of phototherapy, an advance in precision medicine.

The Advancement of Gas-Generating Nanoplatforms in Biomedical Fields: Current Frontiers and Future Perspectives

Diverse gases (NO, CO, H₂ S, H₂ , etc.) have been widely applied in the medical intervention of various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, bacterial infection, etc., attributing to their inherent biomedical activities. Although many gases have many biomedical activities, their clinical use is still limited due to the rapid and free diffusion behavior of these gases molecules, which may cause potential side effects and/or ineffective treatment. Gas-generating nanoplatforms (GGNs) are effective strategies to address the aforementioned challenges of gas therapy by preventing gas production or release at nonspecific sites, enhancing GGNs accumulation at targeted sites, and controlling gas release in response to exogenous (UV, NIR, US, etc.) or endogenous (H₂ O₂ , GSH, pH, etc.) stimuli at the lesion site, further maintaining gas concentration within the effective range and achieving the purpose of disease treatment. This review comprehensively summarizes the advancements of "state-of-the-art" GGNs in the recent three years, with emphasis on the composition, structure, preparation process, and gas release mechanism of the nanocarriers. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects and limitations of GGNs in preclinical studies using cell/animal models are discussed. Overall, this review enlightens the further development of this field and promotes the clinical transformation of gas therapy.

Near-Infrared Upconversion Mesoporous Tin Dioxide Theranostic Nanocapsules for Synergetic Cancer Chemophototherapy

Smart nanotheranostic systems (SNSs) have attracted extensive attention in antitumor therapy. Nevertheless, constructing SNSs with disease diagnosis ability, improved drug delivery efficiency, inherent imaging performance, and high treatment efficiency remains a scientific challenge. Herein, ultrasmall tin dioxide (SnO₂) was assembled with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to form mesoporous nanocapsules by an in situ hydrothermal deposition method, followed by loading with doxorubicin (DOX) and modification with bovine serum albumin (BSA). pH/near-infrared dual-responsive nanotheranostics was constructed for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-induced collaborative cancer treatment. The mesoporous channel of SnO₂ was utilized as a reservoir to encapsulate DOX, an antineoplastic drug, for chemotherapy and as a semiconductor photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Furthermore, the DOX-loaded UCNPs@SnO₂-BSA nanocapsules combined PDT, Nd³⁺-doped UCNP-triggered hyperthermia effect, and DOX-triggered chemotherapy simultaneously and demonstrated prominently enhanced treatment efficiency compared to the monotherapy model. Moreover, tin, as one of the trace elements in the human body, has a similar X-ray attenuation coefficient to iodine and therefore can act as a contrast agent for CT imaging to monitor the treatment process. Such an orchestrated synergistic anticancer treatment exhibited apparent inhibition of tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice with negligible side effects. Our study demonstrates nanocapsules with excellent biocompatibility and great potential for cancer treatment.

Application of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles for cancer treatment: a review

With the excellent ability to transform near-infrared light to localized visible or UV light, thereby achieving deep tissue penetration, lanthanide ion-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) have emerged as one of the most striking nanoscale materials for more effective and safer cancer treatment. Up to now, UCNPs combined with photosensitive components have been widely used in the delivery of chemotherapy drugs, photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. Applications in these directions are reviewed in this article. We also highlight microenvironmental tumor monitoring and precise targeted therapies. Then we briefly summarize some new trends and the existing challenges for UCNPs. We hope this review can provide new ideas for future cancer treatment based on UCNPs.

Erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged nanoworms with on-demand antibiotic release for eradicating biofilms using near-infrared irradiation

The increase in the number of resistant bacteria caused by the abuse of antibiotics and the emergence of biofilms significantly reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. Bacterial infections are detrimental to our life and health. To reduce the abuse of antibiotics and treat biofilm-related bacterial infections, a biomimetic nano-antibacterial system, RBCM-NW-G namely, that controls the release of antibiotics through near infrared was prepared. The hollow porous structure and the high surface activity of nanoworms are used to realize antibiotic loading, and then, biomimetics are applied with red blood cell membranes (RBCM). RBCM-NW-G, which retains the performance of RBCM, shows enhanced permeability and retention effects. Fluorescence imaging in mice showed the effective accumulation of RBCM-NW-G at the site of infection. In addition, the biomimetic nanoparticles showed a longer blood circulation time and good biocompatibility. Anti-biofilm test results showed damage to biofilms due to a photothermal effect and a highly efficient antibacterial performance under the synergy of the photothermal effect, silver iron, and antibiotics. Finally, by constructing a mouse infection model, the great potential of RBCM-NW-G in the treatment of in vivo infections was confirmed.

Gold-Platinum Nanodots with High-Peroxidase-like Activity and Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for Antibacterial Therapy

Combined therapeutic strategies for bacterial infection have attracted worldwide attention owing to their faster and more effective therapy with fewer side effects compared with monotherapy. In this work, gold-platinum nanodots (AuPtNDs) are simply and quickly synthesized by a one-step method. They not only exhibit powerful peroxidase-like activity but also confer a higher affinity for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is 3.4 times that of horseradish peroxidase. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, AuPtNDs also have excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (50.53%) and strong photothermal stability. Excitingly, they can combat bacterial infection through the combination of chemodynamic and photothermal therapy. In vitro antibacterial results show that the combined antibacterial strategy has a broad-spectrum antibacterial property against both Escherichia coli (Gram negative, 97.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive, 99.3%). Animal experiments further show that nanodots can effectively promote the healing of bacterial infection wounds. In addition, owing to good biocompatibility and low toxicity, they are hardly traceable in the main organs of mice, which indicates that they can be well excreted through metabolism. These results reveal the application potential of AuPtNDs as a simple and magic multifunctional nanoparticle in antibacterial therapy and open up new applications for clinical anti-infective therapy in the near future.

Shuttle-Shape Carrier-Free Platinum-Coordinated Nanoreactors with O2 Self-Supply and ROS Augment for Enhanced Phototherapy of Hypoxic Tumor

The synergistic nanotheranostics of reactive oxygen species (ROS) augment or phototherapy has been a promising method within synergistic oncotherapy. However, it is still hindered by sophisticated design and fabrication, lack of a multimodal synergistic effect, and hypoxia-associated poor photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Herein, a kind of porous shuttle-shape platinum (IV) methylene blue (Mb) coordination polymer nanotheranostics-loaded 10-hydroxycamptothecin (CPT) is fabricated to address the abovementioned limitations. Our nanoreactors possess spatiotemporally controlled O2 self-supply, self-sufficient singlet oxygen (1O2), and outstanding photothermal effect. Once they are taken up by tumor cells, nanoreactors as a cascade catalyst can efficiently catalyze degradation of the endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into O2 to alleviate tumor hypoxia. The production of O2 can ensure enhanced PDT. Subsequently, under both stimuli of external red light irradiation and internal lysosomal acidity, nanoreactors can achieve the on-demand release of CPT to augment in situ mitochondrial ROS and highly efficient tumor ablation via phototherapy. Moreover, under the guidance of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging, our nanoreactors exhibit strongly synergistic potency for treatment of hypoxic tumors while reducing damages against normal tissues and organs. Collectively, shuttle-shape platinum-coordinated nanoreactors with augmented ROS capacity and enhanced phototherapy efficiency can be regarded as a novel tumor theranostic agent and further promote the research of synergistic oncotherapy.

Photodynamic Therapy of Inorganic Complexes for the Treatment of Cancer†

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medicinal tool that uses a photosensitizer and a light source to treat several conditions, including cancer. PDT uses reactive oxygen species such as cytotoxic singlet oxygen (¹ O₂ ) to induce cell death in cancer cells. Chemotherapy has historically utilized the cytotoxic effects of many metals, especially transition metal complexes. However, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment so all cells in a patient's body are exposed to the same cytotoxic effects. Transition metal complexes have also shown high cytotoxicity as PDT agents. PDT is a potential localized method for treating several cancer types by using inorganic complexes as photosensitizing agents. This review covers several in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials that reported on the anticancer properties of inorganic pharmaceuticals used in PDT against different types of cancer.

Which is Better for Nanomedicines: Nanocatalysts or Single-Atom Catalysts?

With the rapid advancements in nanotechnology and materials science, numerous nanomaterials have been used as catalysts for nanomedical applications. Their design and modification according to the microenvironment of diseases have been shown to achieve effective treatment. Chemists are in pursuit of nanocatalysts that are more efficient, controllable, and less toxic by developing innovative synthetic technologies and improving existing ones. Recently, single-atom catalysts (SACs) with excellent catalytic activity and high selectivity have attracted increasing attention because of their accurate design as nanomaterials at the atomic level, thereby highlighting their potential for nanomedical applications. In this review, the recent advances in nanocatalysts and SACs are briefly summarized according to their synthesis, characterizations, catalytic mechanisms, and nanomedical applications. The opportunities and future scope for their development and the issues and challenges for their application as nanomedicine are also discussed. As far as it is known, the review is the systematic comparison of nanocatalysts and SACs, especially in the field of nanomedicine, which has promoted the development of nanocatalytic medicine.