Two-photon AIE luminogen labeled multifunctional polymeric micelles for theranostics.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Polymeric micelles are promising for theranostics, but conventional fluorescent dyes face limitations like autofluorescence interference and quenched emission.
• Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) offers a solution with enhanced fluorescence in aggregated states, suitable for bioimaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop multifunctional polymeric micelles with AIE properties for cancer therapy and two-photon bioimaging.
• To investigate the stimuli-responsive behavior, imaging capabilities, and antitumor efficacy of these novel micelles.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel mPEG-SS-Poly (AEMA-co-TBIS) (mPEATss) copolymer for creating AIE-active polymeric micelles.
• Encapsulation of doxorubicin (DOX) into mPEATss micelles and evaluation of their stimuli-responsive drug release (pH and redox).
• Assessment of AIE-active two-photon cell and tissue imaging, as well as in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity.

Main Results:

• mPEATss micelles exhibited excellent AIE-active two-photon cell and deep tissue imaging capabilities.
• DOX-loaded mPEATss micelles formed stable nanoparticles (65 nm) with triggered drug release in acidic environments.
• In vivo studies demonstrated efficient tumor accumulation and significant antitumor efficacy of the DOX-loaded micelles.

Conclusions:

• The developed pH and redox dual-responsive, AIE-active two-photon imaging polymeric micelles show great potential for theranostics.
• This platform offers enhanced imaging and therapeutic delivery for cancer treatment.