Bioinspired Nanoparticles with NIR‐Controlled Drug Release for Synergetic Chemophotothermal Therapy of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Optimal nanosized drug delivery systems (NDDS) require long blood circulation and controlled drug release at target lesions for efficient anticancer therapy. Red blood cell (RBC) membrane‐camouflaged nanoparticles (NPs) can integrate flexibility of synergetic materials and highly functionality of RBC membrane, endowed with many unique advantages for drug delivery. Here, new near‐infrared (NIR)‐responsive RBC membrane‐mimetic NPs with NIR‐activated cellular uptake and controlled drug release for treating metastatic breast cancer are reported. An NIR dye is inserted in RBC membrane shells, and the thermoresponsive lipid is employed to the paclitaxel (PTX)‐loaded polymeric cores to fabricate the RBC‐inspired NPs. The fluorescence of dye in the NPs can be used for in vivo tumor imaging with an elongated circulating halftime that is 12.3‐folder higher than that of the free dye. Under the NIR laser stimuli, the tumor cellular uptake of NPs is significantly enhanced to 2.1‐fold higher than that without irradiation. The structure of the RBC‐mimetic NPs can be destroyed by the light‐induced hyperthermia, triggered rapid PTX release (45% in 30 min). These RBC‐mimetic NPs provide a synergetic chemophotothermal therapy, completely inhibited the growth of the primary tumor, and suppress over 98% of lung metastasis in vivo, suggesting it to be an ideal NDDS to fight against metastatic breast cancer.

Rational Design of Nanoparticles with Deep Tumor Penetration for Effective Treatment of Tumor Metastasis

“…Thanks to the high expression of CD47 markers on their cell surface, camouflaging nanoparticles with RBCs membranes can endow them with a long circulating time to facilitate tumor targeting. We have designed RBCs membrane‐camouflaged nanoparticles loaded with photothermal agents and anticancer drugs for synergistic chemo‐photothermal therapy of metastatic breast cancer . The NIR dye DiR was inserted into the outer RBCs membrane while PTX was loaded into the inner core of polymeric nanoparticles to achieve synergistic antitumor effects.…”

Cell membrane-derived nanomaterials for biomedical applications

“…Further, polymer tethers can be used introduce elements onto the outer membrane surface that can provide additional functionality such as tumor targeting and penetration [113,216,217]. Other strategies have been developed that can enable on-demand, triggered release of cancer drugs, helping to further improve nanoparticle efficacy and minimize systemic toxicity [218–221]. One major advantage of the RBC membrane coating is that it enables extended circulation after repeated administration due to its biocompatible and nonimmunogenic nature [222].…”

Preclinical development of drug delivery systems for paclitaxel-based cancer chemotherapy

“…[116] Li et al recently developed cell membrane coated PTX-loaded PCL nanoparticles for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. [117, 118] In these nanoparticles, PCL served as reservoir for PTX, while the cell membranes endowed the nanomedicine with camouflage properties such as long circulation and tumor targeting. Increased accumulation in both primary tumor and their metastasis sites was achieved, leading to greatly improved efficacy, again when compared to Taxol ® .…”