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NIR-Responsive Black Phosphorus Nanosheet-Integrated Niosomes for Combinatorial Chemo-phototherapy of Cancers
Rahul Kumar1, Shubham Kumar Singh1, Rishabh Kumar Srivastava1
1Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar 342030, India.
Abstract:
Cancer remains one of the major challenges in the field of clinical biomedicine. There is a great deal of scope for the development of various innovative therapies. To advance in the field of cancer therapeutics, the research trend has gradually shifted to the development of biocompatible, controlled, and stable carrier systems. To address such issues, herein, we report NIR-responsive black phosphorus (BP) nanosheet-integrated niosomes to mediate chemo-phototherapy of cancers. Niosome-coated black phosphorus nanosheets loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and doxorubicin (DOX) (NBID) exhibit very high drug loading efficiency (>90%). Upon 808 nm NIR light irradiation, the NBID system initiates combinatorial effects where heat generation induced from BP nanosheets and ICG disrupts the niosomal coating, facilitating the controlled release of ICG and DOX in a pH- and light dual-responsive manner. This combinatorial approach induces DNA damage in cancer cells via DOX and also triggers photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) effects, significantly enhancing tumor eradication. In a 2D cell culture model, the NBID formulation demonstrates excellent cytocompatibility in the dark, effective tumor cell uptake, and tumor cell death, showing potential for further application. To mimic the cancer microenvironment even more closely, the NBID nanoformulation has been tested against the 3D tumor spheroids, where NBID formulation shows tumor uptake and causes cancer cell death. The therapeutic efficacy of the NBID system can be controlled by laser, proving its light-responsive behavior to kill cancer cells in vitro. This integrated approach using NBID as a potent platform for combinatorial cancer therapy offers a promising advancement in achieving a safer, controlled, and stable drug delivery system.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel drug delivery system using black phosphorus nanosheets and niosomes to treat cancer. This system effectively releases chemotherapy drugs and utilizes light to enhance cancer cell death through combined therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer therapeutics require innovative, stable, and controlled drug delivery systems.
- Biocompatible carriers are crucial for advancing cancer treatment strategies.
- Current therapies often lack targeted delivery and controlled release mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel near-infrared (NIR) responsive drug delivery system for combined chemo-phototherapy of cancer.
- To integrate black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets with niosomes for enhanced drug loading and controlled release.
- To investigate the efficacy of this system in 2D cell cultures and 3D tumor spheroids.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of niosome-coated black phosphorus nanosheets loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and doxorubicin (DOX), termed NBID.
- Evaluation of drug loading efficiency and in vitro release kinetics under NIR light and pH changes.
- Assessment of NBID's therapeutic effects in 2D cancer cell models and 3D tumor spheroids, including cell uptake, viability, and DNA damage.
- Investigation of photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) effects induced by NIR irradiation.
Main Results:
- NBID formulation achieved high drug loading efficiency (>90%) with controlled, dual-responsive release (pH and light).
- NIR irradiation triggered heat generation from BP and ICG, disrupting the niosomal coating and releasing drugs.
- NBID demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility in the dark, significant tumor cell uptake, and potent cancer cell death in both 2D and 3D models.
- The system effectively induced DNA damage and exhibited light-controlled therapeutic efficacy, confirming its potential for cancer therapy.
Conclusions:
- NIR-responsive black phosphorus nanosheet-integrated niosomes (NBID) offer a promising platform for combinatorial cancer therapy.
- The dual-responsive drug release and combined chemo-photothermal-photodynamic therapy significantly enhance tumor eradication.
- NBID represents a safer, controlled, and stable drug delivery system with potential for clinical application in cancer treatment.
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