Biodegradable Bi₂ O₂ Se Quantum Dots for Photoacoustic Imaging-Guided Cancer Photothermal Therapy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials offer unique properties for advanced applications.
• Bismuth oxy-selenide (Bi2O2Se) nanoplates are emerging 2D materials with potential biomedical benefits due to their semiconducting nature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile synthesis method for Bismuth oxy-selenide (Bi2O2Se) quantum dots (QDs).
• To evaluate the photoacoustic (PA) and photothermal therapy (PTT) performance of Bi2O2Se QDs for biomedical applications.
• To assess the in vitro and in vivo safety and biodegradability of Bi2O2Se QDs.

Main Methods:

• A top-down approach was employed for the synthesis of Bi2O2Se QDs in solution.
• Characterization of Bi2O2Se QDs included size, thickness, and photothermal conversion efficiency measurements.
• In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate PA imaging, PTT efficiency, tumor accumulation, and toxicity.

Main Results:

• Bi2O2Se QDs with an average size of 3.8 nm and thickness of 1.9 nm were successfully synthesized.
• The synthesized QDs demonstrated a high photothermal conversion coefficient (35.7%) and good photothermal stability.
• Bi2O2Se QDs exhibited excellent PA performance and PTT efficiency, enabling effective tumor imaging and treatment with passive tumor accumulation and no obvious toxicity.
• The QDs showed biodegradability in aqueous media, ensuring stability during circulation and harmless excretion.

Conclusions:

• Bi2O2Se QDs are a promising biodegradable multifunctional agent for biomedical applications.
• Their excellent PA imaging and PTT capabilities, coupled with good safety profiles, make them suitable for imaging-guided tumor therapy.
• The degradability of Bi2O2Se QDs ensures efficient therapeutic function and subsequent safe elimination from the body.