A Smart Multifunctional Nanoparticle for Enhanced Near-Infrared Image-Guided Photothermal Therapy Against Gastric
Jun Shao1, Rongpu Liang1, Dongbing Ding1
1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Surgery is considered to be a potentially curative approach for gastric cancer. However, most cases are diagnosed at a very advanced stage for the lack of typical symptoms in the initial stage, which makes it difficult to completely surgical resect of tumors. Early diagnosis and precise personalized intervention are urgent issues to be solved for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer. Herein, we developed an RGD-modified ROS-responsive multifunctional nanosystem for near-infrared (NIR) imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) against gastric cancer.
Methods:
Firstly, the amphiphilic polymer was synthesized by bromination reaction and nucleophilic substitution reaction of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and 4-hydroxymethyl-pinacol phenylborate (BAPE). Then, it was used to encapsulate indocyanine green (ICG) and modified with RGD to form a smart multifunctional nanoparticle targeted to gastric cancer (CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG). The characteristics were determined, and the targeting capacity and biosafety were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) effect was studied using gastric cancer cells (SGC7901) and SGC7901 tumor model.
Results:
The nanoparticle exhibited suitable size (≈ 120 nm), improved aqueous stability, ROS-responsive drug release, excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, enhanced cellular uptake, and targeting capacity to tumors. Remarkably, in vivo studies suggested that CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG could accurately illustrate the location and margin of the SGC7901 tumor through NIR imaging in comparison with non-targeted nanoparticles. Moreover, the antitumor activity of CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG-mediated PTT could effectively suppress tumor growth by inducing necrosis and apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG demonstrated excellent biosafety both in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusion:
Overall, our study provides a biocompatible theranostic nanoparticle with enhanced tumor-targeting ability and accumulation to realize NIR image-guided PTT in gastric cancer.
Insights
This study developed a novel RGD-modified, ROS-responsive nanoparticle for near-infrared imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of gastric cancer. The theranostic nanoparticle demonstrated effective tumor targeting, imaging, and suppression of gastric cancer growth with excellent biosafety.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Gastric cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, hindering surgical resection and necessitating improved early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.
- Current limitations in early detection and targeted intervention impact gastric cancer patient prognosis.
- There is a critical need for innovative theranostic approaches for effective gastric cancer management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional nanosystem for targeted near-infrared (NIR) imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of gastric cancer.
- To engineer an RGD-modified, ROS-responsive nanoparticle for enhanced gastric cancer treatment.
- To create a biocompatible theranostic agent for image-guided gastric cancer intervention.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of an amphiphilic polymer via bromination and nucleophilic substitution reactions using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and 4-hydroxymethyl-pinacol phenylborate (BAPE).
- Encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG) and RGD modification to form the targeted nanoparticle (CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG).
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of nanoparticle characteristics, targeting capacity, biosafety, and PTT efficacy in gastric cancer cells (SGC7901) and a tumor model.
Main Results:
- The developed nanoparticle (CMCh-BAPE-RGD@ICG) exhibited optimal size (≈120 nm), enhanced aqueous stability, ROS-responsive release, and efficient photothermal conversion.
- In vivo studies confirmed accurate tumor localization and margin delineation via NIR imaging and demonstrated effective tumor growth suppression through PTT-induced necrosis and apoptosis.
- The nanosystem showed significant cellular uptake, tumor targeting, and excellent in vitro/in vivo biosafety.
Conclusions:
- The study presents a biocompatible theranostic nanoparticle with superior tumor-targeting and accumulation capabilities.
- This nanosystem enables effective NIR image-guided photothermal therapy for gastric cancer.
- The developed theranostic nanoparticle holds promise for improving gastric cancer treatment outcomes.
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