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Synthetic carbon-based lanthanide upconversion nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal therapy
Mei Yang1,2,3, Yida Huang4, Zhongxing Chen5,6,7
1Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China. meiyang@fudan.edu.cn.
Nature Communications
|July 9, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed novel nanocomposites for enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT). These materials improve laser light conversion, boosting PTT efficacy for cancer and ocular neovascularization treatments with targeted drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer treatment but faces limitations with current laser technology.
- Developing materials with enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency under long-wavelength lasers is crucial for clinical advancement.
- Carbon nanomaterials show potential but are restricted by single-wavelength laser dependency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create advanced photothermal reagents with improved efficiency using long-wavelength light.
- To enhance the synergistic effect of PTT with chemotherapy and targeted drug delivery.
- To evaluate the efficacy of novel nanocomposites in treating subcutaneous and ocular melanoma tumors.
Main Methods:
- Coating mesoporous carbon nanomaterials (MCNs) with lanthanide oxysulfide up-conversion material (Y2O2S:Yb3+,Er3+) to convert 980 nm light to visible light.
- Incorporating gambogic acid and doxorubicin into MCNs/Ln/GD/FR nanocomposites for synergistic therapy.
- Utilizing a dual stimuli-responsive hydrogel (PNIPAM) for controlled drug release and tumor targeting.
- Evaluating tumor targeting and therapeutic effects on subcutaneous and ocular melanoma models.
Main Results:
- The MCNs/Ln/GD/FR nanocomposites demonstrated significantly enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency from 59.48% to 82.86%.
- The nanocomposites exhibited potent synergistic photothermal and chemotherapy effects, inhibiting tumor growth.
- Effective tumor targeting and controlled drug release were achieved using the hydrogel system.
- The treatment activated tumor-suppressive pathways and inhibited proliferation-related pathways in melanoma models.
Conclusions:
- The developed MCNs/Ln/GD/FR nanocomposites represent a significant advancement in photothermal reagents for cancer therapy.
- This strategy overcomes the limitations of single-wavelength lasers, offering a more effective PTT approach.
- The findings provide valuable insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies for tumors, including ocular neovascularization.
