Multi-Sensitive Au NCs/5-FU@Carr-LA Composite Hydrogels for Targeted Multimodal Anti-Tumor Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Traditional chemotherapy faces limitations; combining therapies like photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy enhances efficacy.
• Phototoxicity of traditional photosensitizers poses a challenge in cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional, multi-sensitive composite hydrogel for targeted cancer therapy.
• To integrate gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) into a carboxymethyl cellulose (Carr) hydrogel for synergistic PDT, photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized Au NCs using sodium borohydride and potassium.
• Embedded Au NCs and 5-FU into a Carr hydrogel, conjugated with lactobionic acid (LA) for targeting.
• Investigated drug release at different pH and temperatures, and evaluated biocompatibility and antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

• The Au NCs/5-FU@Carr-LA hydrogel demonstrated pH- and temperature-sensitive drug release.
• Achieved faster drug release at acidic pH (5.0) and elevated temperatures (50 °C).
• Exhibited excellent biocompatibility and significant synergistic antitumor efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The developed composite hydrogel serves as a promising multifunctional platform for targeted cancer therapy.
• The hydrogel offers dual-functionality as a drug carrier and imaging agent, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
• Lactobionic acid facilitated targeted delivery to tumor cells, improving treatment specificity.