Programmed-stimuli responsive carrier-free multidrug delivery system for highly efficient trimodal combination...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Cancer therapy faces challenges with multidirectional cytotoxic effects, inefficient antitumor activity, and severe side effects.
• Existing drug delivery systems (DDS) often require carriers and lack precise control over drug release.
• Multimodal therapy offers a promising approach to overcome treatment limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a carrier-free, programmed, and multimodal drug delivery system (DDS) for enhanced cancer therapy.
• To create a DDS capable of stimuli-responsive controlled release using low pH and near-infrared (NIR) light.
• To combine chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy into a single, targeted treatment strategy.

Main Methods:

• A simple one-step method was used to prepare carrier-free DDS IFNα1b-ICG-DOX (IID) from three clinical drugs.
• The IID system was designed to respond to low pH (acidic environments) and NIR light for controlled drug release.
• In vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the accumulation and release of drugs in tumor tissues.

Main Results:

• The IID system exhibited size and charge changes in response to pH, facilitating tumor accumulation.
• Low pH triggered the release of doxorubicin (DOX), increasing particle size and surface charge.
• NIR light exposure led to the disintegration of IID particles and the release of all three drugs (DOX, IFNα1b, ICG).

Conclusions:

• The developed IID system represents a smart, programmed DDS for multimodal cancer therapy.
• Stimuli-responsive drug release enhances the accumulation and efficacy of combined chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy.
• This carrier-free approach offers a promising strategy to improve cancer treatment outcomes by minimizing side effects and maximizing therapeutic effects.