CuS Nanodot-Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel for Anticancer Photothermal Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Photothermal therapy (PTT) offers a promising localized cancer treatment modality.
• Developing effective drug delivery systems for PTT agents is crucial for clinical translation.
• Copper sulfide (CuS) nanodots exhibit excellent photothermal conversion efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create an injectable hydrogel system encapsulating CuS nanodots for enhanced cancer PTT.
• To evaluate the stability, photothermal performance, and in vivo efficacy of the CuS-loaded hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• CuS nanodots synthesized via one-pot method, encapsulated in Pluronic F127 thermosensitive hydrogel.
• Characterization included morphology, particle size, serum stability, photothermal performance, and rheology.
• In vitro studies on 4T1 breast cancer cells and in vivo studies on tumor-bearing mice.

Main Results:

• CuS nanodots (approx. 8 nm) showed good serum stability, photothermal conversion, and laser stability.
• Hydrogel encapsulation preserved CuS nanodot properties and provided in situ gelation at body temperature.
• The hydrogel exhibited prolonged in vivo retention, effective photothermal therapy, and low systemic toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Injectable CuS nanodot-loaded hydrogel is a viable platform for cancer PTT.
• The thermosensitive hydrogel enhances retention and therapeutic efficacy.
• This system shows potential for safe and effective localized cancer treatment.