A Machine Learning-Optimized System for Pulsatile, Photo- and Chemotherapeutic Treatment Using Near-Infrared
Maria Kanelli1, Neelkanth M Bardhan1, Morteza Sarmadi1
1The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.
ACS Nano
|October 28, 2024
Summary
A novel light-activated microparticle system delivers anticancer drugs and uses near-infrared laser irradiation for localized thermal ablation. This multimodal cancer therapy significantly increased survival and eradicated tumors in mice.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Progressive cancers necessitate multimodal therapies due to high mortality and side effects of traditional treatments.
- Less invasive, recurring treatment modalities are clinically significant for managing persistent cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a light-activatable microparticle system for localized, pulsatile drug delivery and simultaneous thermal ablation.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Poly(caprolactone) microparticles (200 μm) loaded with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and anticancer drugs (doxorubicin or violacein) were fabricated.
- Near-infrared laser irradiation triggered photothermal heating (≥50 °C) for drug release and polymer softening.
- A machine learning algorithm optimized laser operation conditions for controlled ON-OFF thermal cycles.
Main Results:
- MoS2 nanosheets demonstrated high photothermal conversion efficiency with low-power laser requirements.
- Intratumoral administration in a 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer mouse model led to synergistic phototherapeutic and chemotherapeutic effects after 3 laser treatment cycles.
- The treatment resulted in a median survival of 39 days and complete tumor eradication at the primary site.
Conclusions:
- The developed microparticle system offers on-demand, pulsatile synergistic treatment with precise localization and low invasiveness.
- This approach is therapeutically relevant for recurring treatments on small tumors and shows no cross-resistance with other therapies.
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