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Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
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Biodegradable photothermal thermosensitive hydrogels treat osteosarcoma by reprogramming macrophages
Guowen Luo1,2, Ziyang Xu1,2, Hua Zhong3
1School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China. luck_2001@126.com.
Biomaterials Science
|February 24, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel injectable hydrogel that uses photothermal therapy to reprogram tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) into cancer-fighting M1 cells, offering a new treatment for osteosarcoma.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma, a common pediatric bone cancer, often recurs or metastasizes due to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Traditional treatments face challenges with recurrence and metastasis, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a biodegradable, injectable photothermal hydrogel capable of reprogramming TAMs into M1 macrophages.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this hydrogel in treating osteosarcoma both in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of a hydroxypropyl chitin (HPCH), tannic acid, and ferric ion (HTA) based hydrogel with photothermal properties.
- In vitro assessment of HTA hydrogel's effect on K7M2 cancer cells apoptosis upon NIR irradiation.
- In vivo administration of HTA hydrogel with NIR irradiation to treat primary tumors and modulate TAMs in the TME.
Main Results:
- The HTA hydrogel demonstrated efficient photothermal conversion and repeatability, capable of gelling in situ after injection.
- HTA combined with near-infrared (NIR) irradiation induced cancer cell apoptosis in vitro.
- In vivo studies showed that HTA + NIR treatment effectively killed primary tumors and reprogrammed TAMs to M1 macrophages in the TME.
Conclusions:
- The injectable, photothermally active HTA hydrogel shows significant potential for treating bone tumors by modulating the TME.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for overcoming treatment resistance in osteosarcoma.

