Controlled gene and drug release from a liposomal delivery platform triggered by X-ray radiation

Abstract

Liposomes have been well established as an effective drug delivery system, due to simplicity of their preparation and unique characteristics. However conventional liposomes are unsuitable for the on-demand content release, which limits their therapeutic utility. Here we report X-ray-triggerable liposomes incorporating gold nanoparticles and photosensitizer verteporfin. The 6 MeV X-ray radiation induces verteporfin to produce singlet oxygen, which destabilises the liposomal membrane and causes the release of cargos from the liposomal cavity. This triggering strategy is demonstrated by the efficiency of gene silencing in vitro and increased effectiveness of chemotherapy in vivo. Our work indicates the feasibility of a combinatorial treatment and possible synergistic effects in the course of standard radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy delivered via X-ray-triggered liposomes. Importantly, our X-ray-mediated liposome release strategy offers prospects for deep tissue photodynamic therapy, by removing its depth limitation.

ROS‐Responsive Blended Nanoparticles: Cascade‐Amplifying Synergistic Effects of Sonochemotherapy with On‐demand Boosted Drug Release During SDT Process

“…The traditional photo‐triggered nanodrug delivery systems have poor tissue penetrative power, which significantly limits their clinical potential . Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), which is based on ultrasound (US)‐triggered sonosensitizers that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), obviates the above limitation of photodynamic therapy (PDT), and is a suitable option for treating deep‐seated tumors .…”

Covalent binding of molecules to plasma immersion ion implantation‐activated microparticles for delivery into cells

“…Future studies will focus on strategies to promote the escape of the cargo from the lysosome. Possible endosomal releasing agents that could be coimmobilized with siRNA are the so‐called “proton sponges” such as polyethylenimine, chloroquine, or verteporfin . Verteporfin has the advantage that the release mechanism is triggered by irradiation with red light to produce reactive oxygen species, which disrupts lysosome membranes …”

“…34 Verteporfin has the advantage that the release mechanism is triggered by irradiation with red light to produce reactive oxygen species, which disrupts lysosome membranes. 34,35…”

Enhanced Cancer Therapy by Combining Radiation and Chemical Effects Mediated by Nanocarriers

“…An example of the first approach is the work carried out by Deng et al. who designed a liposome system containing gold nanocarriers and the photosensitizer verteporfin (VP), combined with X‐ray radiotherapy . The gold nanocarriers (3–5 nm) were chosen to ensure interaction with X‐rays and the generation of ROS.…”