Covalently Assembled NIR Nanoplatform for Simultaneous Fluorescence Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer Cells

Abstract

A highly efficient multifunctional nanoplatform for simultaneous upconversion luminescence (UCL) imaging and photodynamic therapy has been developed on the basis of selective energy transfer from multicolor luminescent NaYF(4):Yb(3+),Er(3+) upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to photosensitizers (PS). Different from popular approaches based on electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions, over 100 photosensitizing molecules were covalently bonded to every 20 nm UCNP, which significantly strengthened the UCNP-PS linkage and reduced the probability of leakage/desorption of the PS. Over 80% UCL was transferred to PS, and the singlet oxygen production was readily detected by its feature emission at 1270 nm. Tests performed on JAR choriocarcinoma and NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells verified the efficient endocytosis and photodynamic effect of the nanoplatform with 980 nm irradiation specific to JAR cancer cells. Our work highlights the promise of using UCNPs for potential image-guided cancer photodynamic therapy.

Phthalocyanine‐Conjugated Upconversion NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@SiO2 Nanospheres for NIR‐Triggered Photodynamic Therapy in a Tumor Mouse Model

“…[17] Attempts are therefore made to attach or adsorbaphotosensitizer to the surface of the upconversion lanthanide-doped nanoparticles,e nabling deep-tissue optical imaging and photoactivation. [18][19][20] There are many requirements laid on the upconversion nanoparticles involving controllable and reproducible synthesis, uniform size to secure the same properties, colloidal stabiliPhotodynamic therapy( PDT) has garnered immensea ttention as am inimally invasive clinical treatment modality for malignant cancers. However,i ts low penetration depth and photodamage of living tissues by UV and visible light, which activate ap hotosensitizer,l imit the application of PDT.I nt his study, monodisperse NaYF 4 :Yb 3 + /Er 3 + nanospheres2 0nmi nd iameter,t hat serve as near-infrared (NIR)-to-visible light converters and activators of ap hotosensitizer,w ere synthesized by hightemperature co-precipitation of lanthanide chlorides in ah ighboiling organic solvent (octadec-1-ene).…”

Chemical modification of temoporfin – a second generation photosensitizer activated using upconverting nanoparticles for singlet oxygen generation

“…The application of Ln 3+ -UCNPs as an energy source for exciting photosensitizers has been proposed. [8][9][10][11][12][13] The nanoconstructs, which were prepared using upconverting nanoparticles for the excitation of different photosensitizers, made use of the Er 3+ transitions, 2 H 11/2 , 4 S 3/2 -4 I 11/2 and 4 F 9/2 -4 I 11/2 . The transitions have one major disadvantage, the emission from these transitions does not overlap with the strongest absorption peak, the Soret band, of the photosensitizer presently used, which is at B400 nm.…”

Nanotechnology-based approaches in anticancer research

“…213 A sensitive and selective sensor for detecting colon cancer based on NP covalent modified antihuman epithelial cell adhesion-molecule antibody was also developed. 214 Recently, a highly efficient multifunctional nanoplatform, multicolor luminescent NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ ,Er 3+ upconversion NPs were reported by Liu et al, 215 which could be utilized in image-guided cancer photodynamic therapy. For the first time, Wang et al reported a synthesis of biocompatible triplex Ag@SiO 2 @mTiO 2 core-shell NPs that possessed a combined capacity for fast and multiplexed fluorescencesurface-enhanced Raman scattering F-SERS labeling for imaging as well as drug loading for cancer therapy.…”