Oxygen self-sufficient fluorinated polypeptide nanoparticles for NIR imaging-guided enhanced photodynamic therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy is limited by tumor hypoxia and oxygen depletion.
• Developing oxygen-self-sufficient PDT agents is crucial for treating hypoxic tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize oxygen self-sufficient fluorinated polypeptide nanoparticles for enhanced PDT.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanoparticles in overcoming tumor hypoxia and improving cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized water-dispersible fluorinated polypeptide nanoparticles loaded with a NIR photosensitizer (BODIPY-Br2).
• Investigated oxygen capacity and singlet oxygen (1O2) lifetime enhancement using perfluorocarbon.
• Conducted in vitro studies with HepG2 cells for cellular uptake and PDT efficiency.
• Performed in vivo experiments on tumor-bearing BALB/c mice to assess PDT efficacy.

Main Results:

• The nanoparticles demonstrated increased oxygen uptake and enhanced singlet oxygen production.
• In vitro and in vivo studies showed improved PDT efficiency in hypoxic tumor environments.
• The fluorinated polypeptide platform effectively delivered photosensitizers, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cancer cell cytotoxicity.
• The BODIPY-Br2 photosensitizer enabled both PDT and near-infrared (NIR) imaging.

Conclusions:

• Fluorinated polypeptide nanoparticles are effective delivery systems for photosensitizers, enhancing PDT in hypoxic tumors.
• The developed theranostic agent shows promise for improved cancer treatment and imaging.