Near-Infrared Light-Controlled Nitric Oxide Delivery Combined with In Situ Activated Chemotherapy for Enhanced...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Chemotherapy faces challenges in specificity and side effects.
• Nanoplatforms offer potential for targeted drug delivery and controlled release.
• In situ activation strategies enhance therapeutic efficacy within the tumor microenvironment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional nanoplatform for enhanced antitumor therapy.
• To achieve in situ activation of therapeutic agents within the tumor microenvironment.
• To combine chemotherapy with photodynamic therapy for synergistic effects.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of CMS@DTC@PDA@RuNO@FA (CDPNF) nanoparticles.
• Loading of diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) and mesoporous Cu2MoS4 (CMS) nanoparticles.
• Modification with polydopamine (PDA), nitric oxide donor (RuNO), and folic acid (FA).
• In situ activation triggered by the acidic tumor microenvironment and near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation.

Main Results:

• CDPNF NPs co-liberated DTC and Cu2+ in the tumor microenvironment, forming cytotoxic Cu(DTC)2.
• NIR light irradiation induced nitric oxide (NO) release and superoxide anion production, leading to peroxynitrite formation.
• In vivo studies showed a ~97% tumor inhibition rate with excellent biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The developed CDPNF NPs demonstrate a highly efficient, in situ activated nanoplatform for antitumor therapy.
• This approach combines chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy for precision medicine.
• The nanoplatform shows significant potential for clinical translation in cancer treatment.