Near-infrared photodynamic and photothermal co-therapy based on organic small molecular dyes

Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) organic small molecule dyes (OSMDs) are effective photothermal agents for photothermal therapy (PTT) due to their advantages of low cost and toxicity, good biodegradation, and strong NIR absorption over a wide wavelength range. Nevertheless, OSMDs have limited applicability in PTT due to their low photothermal conversion efficiency and inadequate destruction of tumor regions that are nonirradiated by NIR light. However, they can also act as photosensitizers (PSs) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be further eradicated by using ROS-related therapies to address the above limitations of PTT. In this review, the synergistic mechanism, composition, and properties of photodynamic therapy (PDT)–PTT nanoplatforms were comprehensively discussed. In addition, some specific strategies for further improving the combined PTT and PDT based on OSMDs for cancer to completely eradicate cancer cells were outlined. These strategies include performing image-guided co-therapy, enhancing tumor infiltration, increasing H2O2 or O2 in the tumor microenvironment, and loading anticancer drugs onto nanoplatforms to enable combined therapy with phototherapy and chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the intriguing prospects and challenges of this treatment modality were also summarized with a focus on the future trends of its clinical application. Graphical Abstract

Nanoparticles of Push–Pull Triphenylamine-Based Molecules for Light-Controlled Stimulation of Neuronal Activity

“…Reaction yields of C10 and C12 were found to be 71 and 60%, respectively. Chemical structures of the target molecules were confirmed by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis (see the Experimental Section and Figures S1.1−S1.24 in the SI).…”

“…1 H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ [ppm] 0.88 (t, 9H, J = 6.8 Hz), 1.23−1.45 (overlapping peaks, 42H), 1.70−1.81 (overlapping peaks, 6H), 2.87 (t, 6H, J = 7.4 Hz), 7.14 (d, 6H, J = 8.7 Hz), 7.25 (d, 3H, J = 3.7 Hz), 7.56 (d, 6H, J = 8.7 Hz), 7.65 (d, 3H, J = 4.0 Hz). 13 2,2′,2′′-[Nitrilotris(4,1-phenylenethiene-5,2-diylundec-1-yl-1ylidene)]trimalononitrile (C10). Compound 7a (0.8 g, 0.8 mmol), malononitrile (0.32 g, 4.8 mmol), and dry pyridine (14.0 mL) were placed in a reaction vessel and stirred under an argon atmosphere for 11 h at reflux using microwave heating.…”

“…11 NPs based on OSCs, especially with far-red and nearinfrared emissions, strong two-photon absorption, and lipid droplet or mitochondria-specific staining, have been exten- sively investigated for photodynamic therapy (PDT). 12,13 The investigation of OSCs for the modulation of neuronal activity, in particular, for the excitation and inhibition of cultured neurons and retinal stimulation, was started not so long ago. For many years, research in this field used intracellular or extracellular wired electrodes delivering pulses to neurons.…”

“…In the case of 1 H NMR spectroscopy, the compounds to be analyzed were taken in the form of 1% solutions in CDCl 3 . In the case of 13 C NMR spectroscopy, the compounds to be analyzed were taken in the form of 5% solutions in CDCl 3 . The spectra were then processed using ACD Laboratories software (see Figures S1.1−S1.24 in the Supporting Information, SI).…”

“…and13 C NMR spectra of C10 and C12 compounds and their precursors; description of solubility and thermal and hydrophobic properties; light-controlled stimulation of neuronal cells by NPs; macroscopic electrical current across a planar bilayer lipid membrane; and investigation of the singlet oxygen quantum yield of C12 (PDF)■ AUTHOR INFORMATION Corresponding Authors…”