Photosensitizer–Gold Nanorod Composite for Targeted Multimodal Therapy

Abstract

In this work, a DNA inter-strand replacement strategy for therapeutic activity has been successfully designed for multimodal therapy. In this multimodal therapy, chlorin e6 (Ce6) photosensitizer molecules are used for photodynamic therapy (PDT), while aptamer-AuNRs, are used for selective binding to target cancer cells and for photothermal therapy (PTT) with near infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. Aptamer Sgc8, which specifically targets leukemia T cells, is conjugated to an AuNR by a thiol-Au covalent bond. and then hybridized with a Ce6-labeled photosensitizer/reporter to form a DNA double helix. When target cancer cells are absent, Ce6 is quenched and shows no PDT effect. However, when target cancer cells are present, the aptamer changes structure to release Ce6 to produce singlet oxygen for PDT upon light irradiation. Importantly, by combining photosensitizer and photothermal agents, PTT/PDT dual therapy supplies a more effective therapeutic outcome than either therapeutic modality alone.

Photodynamic therapy of melanoma skin cancer using carbon dot – chlorin e6 – hyaluronate conjugate

“…The difference of tumor volume change even without laser irradiation might be attributed to the activation of Ce6 by sunlight, causing meaningful cytotoxicity in tumor cells [30]. The photosensitivity of Ce6 was reported to be maintained in the skin for 3-7 days [31]. In the case of Cdot-Ce6-HA conjugate, the tumor volume increased without laser irradiation, but significantly suppressed in the presence of laser irradiation by the photodynamic effect.…”

Characterization of the specific interaction between the DNA aptamer sgc8c and protein tyrosine kinase-7 receptors at the surface of T-cells by biosensing AFM

“…PTK7 has also been found to be overexpressed in various other cancer types, including colorectal cancer and cancers of the lung, prostate, lymph nodes, and breast [16–19]. Thus, sgc8c has become a promising conjugate for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics [20–22], photothermal agents [23, 24], immunotherapeutics [25], and contrast agents [26–28], and for noninvasive diagnosis [29] of cancer.…”

Aptamer Oligonucleotides: Novel Potential Therapeutic Agents in Autoimmune Disease

“…In 2004, Pegaptanib (Pfizer/Eyetech), an aptamer against human vascular endothelial growth factor, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for age-related macular degeneration [8]. Thereafter, a variety of aptamers were developed for different diseases, including virus infections [9], leukemia [10], tumors [11], and cardiovascular diseases [7]. In the present review, we will focus on studies of aptamers as potential therapeutics in autoimmune diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM), multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), myasthenia gravis (MG), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ( Table 1).…”