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Riboflavin photoactivation by upconversion nanoparticles for cancer treatment
E V Khaydukov1, K E Mironova1,2, V A Semchishen1
1Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 59, Moscow, 119333, Russia.
Scientific Reports
|October 13, 2016
Summary
Riboflavin, a photosensitizing vitamin, kills cancer cells via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Upconversion nanoparticles enhance this photodynamic therapy
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Riboflavin (Rf) is an endogenous photosensitizer generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon UV-blue light exposure.
- Cancer cells exhibit enhanced Riboflavin uptake, making them susceptible to Rf-induced phototoxicity.
- Current limitations exist in extending photosensitization depth within tumor tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the depth of Riboflavin-mediated photosensitization in cancer tissues.
- To utilize upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for converting near-infrared light to UV-blue light for photodynamic therapy.
- To evaluate the efficacy of UCNP-enhanced Riboflavin photodynamic therapy in a preclinical cancer model.
Main Methods:
- Human breast adenocarcinoma cells (SK-BR-3) were incubated with Riboflavin and exposed to UV light.
- Core/shell upconversion nanoparticles (NaYF4:Yb3+:Tm3+/NaYF4) were synthesized to convert 975 nm excitation to UV-blue light.
- UCNPs and Riboflavin were co-administered to SK-BR-3 cells and in a mouse xenograft model, followed by near-infrared irradiation.
Main Results:
- Riboflavin demonstrated phototoxicity against SK-BR-3 cells at concentrations achievable in vivo.
- UCNPs successfully converted near-infrared light to UV-blue light, enabling photosensitization of Riboflavin.
- Co-administration of UCNPs and Riboflavin with near-infrared irradiation led to SK-BR-3 xenograft regression in mice for 50 days.
Conclusions:
- Upconversion nanoparticles can significantly enhance the depth and efficacy of Riboflavin-based photodynamic therapy.
- This UCNP-mediated approach offers a promising strategy for deep-seated tumor treatment.
- Further research into UCNP-photosensitizer systems could revolutionize cancer photodynamic therapy.
