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Indocyanine Green-Loaded Quenched Nanoliposomes as Activatable Theranostics for Cancer
Junwoo Lim1, Yeojin Yoo1, Yongdoo Choi1
1Division of Technology Convergence, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Goyang 10408, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 26, 2025
Summary
Quenched nanoliposomes loaded with indocyanine green (Q-ICG-NLs) offer activatable cancer theranostics. These nanoliposomes enable selective near-infrared fluorescence imaging and image-guided photodynamic and photothermal therapy, overcoming limitations of conventional agents.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are promising noninvasive cancer treatments.
- Conventional PDT/PTT agents cause off-target phototoxicity and poor imaging due to constant fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation.
- There is a need for activatable theranostic agents with improved safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop activatable nanotheranostics for selective cancer imaging and therapy.
- To overcome the limitations of conventional always-on PDT and PTT agents.
- To evaluate the efficacy of indocyanine green-loaded quenched nanoliposomes (Q-ICG-NLs) for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of indocyanine green-loaded quenched nanoliposomes (Q-ICG-NLs).
- Evaluation of fluorescence quenching and singlet oxygen generation upon light irradiation.
- Assessment of photothermal effect compared to free indocyanine green.
- Investigation of fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation restoration within cancer cells.
Main Results:
- Q-ICG-NLs exhibited significant quenching of near-infrared fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation.
- The photothermal effect of Q-ICG-NLs was 1.3 times greater than free indocyanine green.
- Cancer cell uptake restored fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation, enabling selective detection and therapy.
Conclusions:
- Q-ICG-NLs serve as effective activatable nanotheranostics for cancer.
- These nanoliposomes allow for selective near-infrared fluorescence imaging and image-guided PDT and PTT.
- Q-ICG-NLs represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer theranostics.
