Red blood cell membrane-derived phototherapeutic nanodiscs: A new platform for enhanced phototherapy

Phototherapy holds great potential for treating cancer and infections but faces limitations related to photosensitizer accumulation, tissue penetration, and diminished photo-conversion efficiency, particularly in deep-seated tumors and infections. Here, a biomimetic phototherapeutic nanodisc platform consisting of erythrocyte membranes and the photosensitizer IR780 is developed. With the advantages of the ultra-small size and exceptional biosafety of cell membrane-derived nanodiscs, this platform facilitates efficient accumulation and deep tissue penetration at disease sites. Upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, IR780 delivered via the nanodisc exhibits enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency, markedly inhibiting tumor growth in an orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer model and reducing bacterial load in a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection model. Furthermore, the nanodisc platform demonstrates outstanding biocompatibility in mice. In conclusion, this nanodisc system significantly extends the functional potential of cellular nanodiscs, presenting a promising strategy to address the challenges of photosensitizer delivery and biosafety in phototherapeutic applications.