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Sulfur Defect-Engineered Biodegradable Cobalt Sulfide Quantum Dot-Driven Photothermal and Chemodynamic Anticancer
Houjuan Zhu1,2,3, Shuyi Huang1,4, Mengbin Ding5
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 31, 2022
Summary
Engineered cobalt sulfide quantum dots (CoS QDs) enhance cancer treatment by combining photothermal and chemodynamic therapies. Defect engineering improves their effectiveness and reduces side effects, offering a promising new cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) shows promise for cancer treatment due to its selectivity and low side effects.
- Limited intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and slow reaction rates hinder CDT's efficacy.
- Developing novel nanomaterials is crucial to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer biodegradable cobalt sulfide quantum dots (CoS QDs) for enhanced synergistic photothermal and chemodynamic therapy.
- To investigate the role of sulfur deficiency and defect engineering in modulating CoS QDs' properties.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacy and biocompatibility of the developed CoS QDs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a series of sulfur-deficient CoS QDs with varying defect densities.
- Characterized the photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) and Fenton-like activity of CoS QDs.
- Assessed the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo.
- Investigated the biodegradation and excretion pathways of CoS QDs.
Main Results:
- Defect engineering in CoS QDs enhanced Fenton-like activity, increasing toxic •OH generation.
- Photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) was modulated by defect sites, with a slight decline observed.
- Optimized CoS QDs demonstrated synergistic photothermal- and hyperthermal-enhanced CDT effects.
- Ultrasmall size and biodegradability led to rapid excretion, minimizing systemic side effects and biogenic accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Sulfur-deficient CoS QDs offer a versatile platform for enhanced cancer therapy by combining photothermal and chemodynamic effects.
- Defect-driven modulation of PCE and Fenton-like activity provides a flexible strategy for optimizing cancer treatment.
- The biodegradability and low systemic toxicity of CoS QDs enhance their therapeutic potential.
- This approach holds promise for developing multifunctional platforms for future cancer treatment strategies.
