Fucoidan-based, tumor-activated nanoplatform for overcoming hypoxia and enhancing photodynamic therapy and antitumor...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Multifunctional nanoplatforms offer promise for cancer therapy by integrating photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy.
• Current limitations include low specificity, tumor hypoxia, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biocompatible theranostic nanoplatform (FM@VP) for enhanced cancer treatment.
• To address limitations of current nanoplatforms by targeting specific cancer types and improving the tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• Co-assembly of fucoidan, polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer, verteporfin (VP), and MnO2 nanoparticles into a multifunctional nanoparticle cluster.
• Utilized a dendrimer-fucoidan polyionic nanocomplex (DFPN) for targeted delivery to P-selectin-overexpressed triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and tumor vasculature.
• Incorporated MnO2 nanoparticles to respond to tumor microenvironment stimuli and release oxygen.

Main Results:

• The FM@VP nanoplatform demonstrated specific targeting of TNBC and tumor vasculature.
• Successfully overcame tumor hypoxia and suppressed oncogenic signaling.
• Attenuated tumor-mediated immunosuppression, enhancing PDT efficacy, antitumor immunity, and anti-metastasis.

Conclusions:

• The developed FM@VP nanoplatform offers a powerful strategy for synergistic cancer targeting, photodynamic, and immunotherapy.
• This approach shows potential for clinical translation as a safe and effective cancer treatment modality.