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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
Glycodendron/pyropheophorbide-a (Ppa)-functionalized hyaluronic acid as a nanosystem for tumor photodynamic therapy
Xiaoqin Zhang1, Yahui Wu2, Zhiqian Li2
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; College of Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
Abstract:
To enhance the drug delivery efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA), we designed and prepared glycodendron and pyropheophorbide-a (Ppa)-functionalized HA (HA-Ppa-Dendron) as a nanosystem for cancer photodynamic therapy. Linear Ppa-modified HA (HA-Ppa) was also prepared as a control. Cellular uptake of both polymers by MDA-MB-231 cells led to mitochondrial dysfunction and generation of reactive oxygen species under the irradiation of a laser. Compared to the linear polymer, HA-Ppa-Dendron had higher molecular weight, a more compact nanoscale particle size, and a dendritic structure, resulting in a much longer blood circulation time and higher tumor accumulation. HA-Ppa-Dendron outperformed HA-Ppa in inhibiting cell growth, with 60 % of tumors was eradicated under laser irradiation. Tumor growth inhibition (TGI) up to 99.2 % was achieved from HA-Ppa-Dendron, which was much higher than that of HA-Ppa (50.6 %). Therefore, glycodendron-functionalized HAs by integration of HA and dendritic polymers may act as efficient anti-cancer nanomedicine.
