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Degradable pH-responsive NIR-II imaging probes based on a polymer-lanthanide composite for chemotherapy
Miao Feng1, Yanxing Wang1, Bi Lin1
1Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710071, China. rclv@xidian.edu.cn.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|June 30, 2020
Summary
A novel pH-sensitive nanoprobe combines rare earth nanoparticles and nanomicelles for enhanced near-infrared II imaging-guided cancer therapy. This degradable probe improves drug delivery and reduces nanoparticle accumulation, offering a promising preclinical cancer treatment and navigation tool.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Solid tumors present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Current imaging and drug delivery systems have limitations in efficacy and safety.
- Developing advanced nanoprobes is crucial for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a pH-sensitive degradable nanoprobe for near-infrared II (NIR-II) imaging-guided chemotherapy.
- To investigate the nanoprobe's potential for enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect in solid tumors.
- To assess the nanoprobe's drug release kinetics, imaging sensitivity, and in vivo safety profile.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a composite nanoprobe by integrating hydrophobic rare earth nanoparticles with mPEG-PLGA nanomicelles.
- Characterized the nanoprobe's size, stability, and pH-sensitive degradation properties.
- Evaluated the nanoprobe's performance in NIR-II imaging, drug release, and in vivo excretion of nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- The designed nanoprobes (~300 nm) exhibited a significant enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, beneficial for solid tumor diagnosis.
- The degradable nature of the nanoprobes improved imaging sensitivity and enabled controlled, slow release of anti-tumor drugs.
- Degradation of the probe facilitated the excretion of ultra-small rare earth nanoparticles (~6 nm), minimizing in vivo accumulation.
Conclusions:
- The developed polymer-lanthanide composite nanoprobe is a promising candidate for preclinical cancer chemotherapy and surgery navigation.
- Its pH-sensitive degradability and NIR-II imaging capabilities offer advantages for targeted cancer treatment.
- This approach provides a new strategy for reducing the toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles in vivo.
