Multifunctional Self-Assembly with NIR Light-Activated Cascade Effect for Improving Local Treatment on Solid Tumors

Abstract

Incomplete local treatment of solid tumors is the main cause of tumor difficult to cure, and easily leads to tumor metastasis and recurrence. The dense external matrix and hypoxic microenvironment of solid tumors severely restrict the therapy efficacy of local tumors. Enhancing the infiltration ability of agents to tumor tissues and adapting the therapy mode favored to hypoxic microenvironments are beneficial to improve the cure rate of tumors. In this work, we designed and developed a self-assembled biomaterial with a cascade effect triggered by near-infrared light. The self-assembly was combined of biotin, phase change material (PNIPAM), photochemical agent (ATT-2), and alkyl radical generator (AIPH). In the assembly, biotin acted as a targeted group. ATT-2 was used to provide heat to synergistically induce the phase change and decompose alkyl radicals. The superficial and deep tumors were ablated by heat and alkyl radicals with white light irradiation of the assembly, respectively. The assay in vivo showed that the self-assembly could effectively eliminate local lesions of solid tumors. This work provides new insights for improving the cure rate of tumors, which not only develops biomaterials adapted to the tumor microenvironment, but also proposes new therapies for complete elimination of solid tumors.

Multifunctional nanoparticle for cancer therapy

“…Additionally, Zhou et al. 16 reported that using PLGA–PEG–poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and PEG–PLGA–biotin to deliver photochemical agent (ATT‐2), forming PATA nanoparticles, facilitated effective tumor targeting and the property of phase transition temperature. Moreover, PLGA nanoparticles can be also modified by target peptide to enhance cancer therapy or by codelivery with magnetic nanoparticles for increasing T 2 contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).…”

“…PLGA-PEGmaleimide was loaded with IR780 and then conjugated with PD-L1 binding peptide; as a result, aNP@IR780 showed a strong CT26 antitumor effect by activating immune cells following near-infrared irradiation (NIR). Additionally, Zhou et al 16 reported that using PLGA-PEGpoly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and PEG-PLGA-biotin to deliver photochemical agent (ATT-2), forming PATA nanoparticles, facilitated effective tumor targeting and the property of phase transition temperature. Moreover, PLGA nanoparticles can be also modified by target peptide to enhance cancer therapy or by codelivery with magnetic nanoparticles for increasing T 2 contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).…”

“…Indeed, these well‐constructed multifunctional nanocarriers have demonstrated therapeutic potential in cancer treatment with varied function design. 14 , 15 , 16 …”

“…Indeed, these well-constructed multifunctional nanocarriers have demonstrated therapeutic potential in cancer treatment with varied function design. [14][15][16] In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding and detailed analyzation of the currently developed multifunctional nanoparticles; their platform structures were summarized in the aspect of organic, inorganic, and biomimetic-derived backbones. We especially emphasized on the functionalization and modification strategies that provide additional functions to the nanoparticle including drug delivery, in vivo imaging, and advanced therapy.…”

“…Despite the above technical difficulties, many newly developed multifunctional nanoparticles have emerged in recent research. Indeed, these well‐constructed multifunctional nanocarriers have demonstrated therapeutic potential in cancer treatment with varied function design 14–16 …”