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Published on: March 16, 2018
LnNP@ZIF8 Smart System for In Situ NIR-II Ratiometric Imaging-Based Tumor Drug Resistance Evaluation
Qingyuan Wang1, Zhizheng Zhang1, Dehui Qiu2
1Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China.
Abstract:
Just-in-time evaluation of drug resistance in situ will greatly facilitate the achievement of precision cancer therapy. The rapid elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the key to chemotherapy. Hence, suppressed ROS production is an important marker for chemotherapy drug resistance. Herein, a NIR-II emission smart nanoprobe (LnNP@ZIF8, consisting of a lanthanide-doped nanoparticle (LnNP) core and metal-organic framework shell (ZIF8)) is constructed for drug delivery and in vivo NIR-II ratiometric imaging of ROS for tumor drug resistance evaluation. The drug-loaded nanoprobes release therapeutic substances for chemotherapy in the acidic tumor tissue. As the level of ROS increases, the LnNPs shows responsively descending fluorescence intensity at 1550 nm excited by 980 nm (F1550, 980Ex), while the fluorescence of the LnNPs at 1060 nm excited by 808 nm (F1060, 808Ex) is stable. Due to the ratiometric F1550, 980Ex/F1060, 808Ex value exhibiting a linear relationship with ROS concentration, NIR-II imaging results of ROS change based on this ratio can be an important basis for determining tumor drug resistance. As the chemotherapy and resistance evaluation are explored continuously in situ, the ratiometric imaging identifies drug resistance successfully within 24 h, which can greatly improve the timeliness of accurate treatment.
Insights
This study introduces a smart nanoprobe for real-time evaluation of chemotherapy drug resistance in tumors. The probe uses near-infrared-II (NIR-II) imaging to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, enabling timely treatment adjustments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Precision cancer therapy requires in situ evaluation of drug resistance.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation is crucial for chemotherapy efficacy.
- Suppressed ROS production indicates chemotherapy drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a smart nanoprobe for in vivo drug delivery and ratiometric imaging of ROS.
- To evaluate tumor drug resistance using NIR-II imaging of ROS.
- To enable timely adjustments for precision cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a lanthanide-doped nanoparticle (LnNP) core and ZIF8 shell nanoprobe (LnNP@ZIF8) for drug delivery.
- Utilizing NIR-II emission for ratiometric imaging of ROS based on fluorescence changes.
- In situ monitoring of chemotherapy and drug resistance evaluation within 24 hours.
Main Results:
- The LnNP@ZIF8 nanoprobe successfully delivered drugs and released them in acidic tumor tissues.
- Ratiometric imaging based on the F1550, 980Ex/F1060, 808Ex value showed a linear relationship with ROS concentration.
- The developed method accurately identified drug resistance in situ within 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- The developed NIR-II smart nanoprobe facilitates just-in-time evaluation of tumor drug resistance.
- This approach enhances the timeliness and accuracy of precision cancer therapy.
- The ratiometric imaging of ROS offers a promising strategy for personalized cancer treatment.

