Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Facile Preparation and Photoactivation of Prodrug-Dye Nanoassemblies
Published on: February 17, 2023
Photoactivatable Surface-Functionalized Diatom Microalgae for Colorectal Cancer Targeted Delivery and Enhanced
Joachim Delasoie1, Philippe Schiel1, Sandra Vojnovic2
1Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Systemic toxicity and severe side effects are commonly associated with anticancer chemotherapies. New strategies based on enhanced drug selectivity and targeted delivery to cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue undamaged can reduce the global patient burden. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and characterization of a bio-inspired hybrid multifunctional drug delivery system based on diatom microalgae. The microalgae's surface was chemically functionalized with hybrid vitamin B12-photoactivatable molecules and the materials further loaded with highly active rhenium(I) tricarbonyl anticancer complexes. The constructs showed enhanced adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and slow release of the chemotherapeutic drugs. The overall toxicity of the hybrid multifunctional drug delivery system was further enhanced by photoactivation of the microalgae surface. Depending on the construct and anticancer drug, a 2-fold increase in the cytotoxic efficacy of the drug was observed upon light irradiation. The use of this targeted drug delivery strategy, together with selective spatial-temporal light activation, may lead to lower effective concentration of anticancer drugs, thereby reducing medication doses, possible side effects and overall burden for the patient.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel drug delivery system using microalgae to target cancer cells. This bio-inspired approach enhances chemotherapy effectiveness and reduces side effects through targeted drug release and light activation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Conventional chemotherapy faces challenges with systemic toxicity and severe side effects.
- Targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy and minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, synthesize, and characterize a bio-inspired hybrid multifunctional drug delivery system using diatom microalgae.
- To evaluate the system's ability to target colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and achieve controlled drug release.
- To investigate the enhancement of cytotoxic efficacy through photoactivation.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of diatom microalgae surface with vitamin B12-photoactivatable molecules.
- Loading of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl anticancer complexes onto the functionalized microalgae.
- Assessment of cellular adherence to CRC cells and drug release kinetics.
- Evaluation of cytotoxic efficacy with and without light irradiation.
Main Results:
- The hybrid system demonstrated enhanced adherence to colorectal cancer cells.
- A slow and controlled release of chemotherapeutic drugs was observed.
- Photoactivation of the microalgae surface significantly enhanced the overall toxicity and cytotoxic efficacy of the anticancer drugs, with up to a 2-fold increase.
Conclusions:
- The developed diatom microalgae-based system represents a promising targeted drug delivery strategy for cancer therapy.
- Spatial-temporal light activation combined with targeted delivery can lead to lower effective drug concentrations, reducing patient side effects and burden.
