Functionalized Mildly Oxidized MXene-Based Injectable Hydrogel with Enhanced Photothermal Performance for Precision...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Uterine sarcoma is a highly malignant gynecological tumor with poor treatment outcomes.
• Current therapies (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) have limited efficacy and significant side effects.
• There is an urgent need for innovative, noninvasive treatment strategies for uterine sarcoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel photosensitive nanocomposite hydrogel (O1-M&F) for near-infrared (NIR)-induced photothermal therapy (PTT).
• To investigate the enhanced photothermal and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation properties of mildly oxidized MXene (O1-M).
• To assess the efficacy and biocompatibility of the O1-M&F hydrogel for uterine sarcoma treatment.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a nanocomposite hydrogel (O1-M&F) using mildly oxidized MXene (O1-M) and Pluronic F127 hydrogel.
• Characterization of O1-M&F for photothermal conversion efficiency, ROS generation, dispersion stability, and biocompatibility.
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of O1-M&F-based PTT for uterine sarcoma tumor ablation.

Main Results:

• Mild oxidation of MXene significantly enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency and ROS generation.
• The O1-M&F hydrogel demonstrated excellent dispersion stability and biocompatibility.
• Effective in vitro and in vivo uterine sarcoma tumor ablation with minimal observed side effects.
• Increased apoptosis in uterine sarcoma cells was confirmed.

Conclusions:

• O1-M&F nanocomposite hydrogel is a safe and effective platform for NIR-induced PTT.
• This novel PTT approach shows significant potential for noninvasive uterine sarcoma treatment.
• The O1-M&F hydrogel offers a promising therapeutic strategy with reduced risks and improved patient outcomes.