Engineered Organic Nanorockets with Light-Driven Ultrafast Transportability for Antitumor Therapy.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanomedicines face challenges with tumor penetration due to physiological barriers, limiting antitumor therapy efficacy.
• Self-propelled nanocarriers offer potential for enhanced tumor penetration by converting external energy into directed motion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop stable, ultrafast self-propelled nanorockets for overcoming tumor microenvironment barriers.
• To enhance the deep penetration and accumulation of therapeutic agents within tumors.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of sub-200 nm photoactivated organic nanorockets (NRs) via nanoprecipitation.
• Utilizing 808 nm near-infrared light to trigger photothermal conversion and Curtius rearrangement for propulsion.
• Demonstrating chemical medium-independent self-propulsion at speeds up to ≈300 µm s⁻¹.

Main Results:

• Achieved ultrafast, stable self-propulsion of nanorockets independent of the chemical environment.
• Demonstrated high permeability of NRs through physiological tumor barriers.
• Enhanced tumor accumulation, deep penetration, and cellular uptake of delivered therapeutic agents.

Conclusions:

• The developed photoactivated nanorockets offer a promising kinetic system for powering nanomachines in biomedical applications.
• This technology significantly enhances antitumor efficacy by improving drug delivery to target lesions.
• Inspires the design of advanced intelligent nanomachines for improved cancer treatment.