Red Upconverter Nanocrystals Functionalized with Verteporfin for Photodynamic Therapy Triggered by Upconversion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Upconversion nanoparticles (UC NP) offer unique optical properties for biological imaging and therapy.
• Verteporfin (Ver) is an FDA-approved photosensitizer (PS) effective with red light excitation.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) faces limitations in deep tissue penetration with conventional light sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a theranostic nanoparticle system for enhanced Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).
• To utilize upconversion emission for activating Verteporfin (Ver) via near-infrared (NIR) light.
• To overcome the penetration depth limitations of PDT in biological tissues.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2) upconversion nanoparticles doped with Ytterbium (Yb3+) and Erbium (Er3+).
• Functionalization of nanoparticles with a silica shell for covalent anchoring of Verteporfin (Ver).
• Physico-chemical characterization to optimize doping ratios and Ver distribution.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared red-emitting upconversion nanoparticles with controlled doping.
• Achieved covalent anchoring of Verteporfin (Ver) onto the silica-coated nanoparticles.
• Demonstrated upconversion-triggered photodynamic activity of Verteporfin (Ver) using NIR light.

Conclusions:

• Developed a theranostic nanoparticle platform enabling Verteporfin (Ver) activation via upconversion.
• The system facilitates PDT in deep tissues due to NIR light's superior penetration.
• This approach holds promise for advanced therapeutic applications in biological systems.