Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Copper Selenide Nanoparticle-Loaded Calcium Silicate Cement Induces Immunogenic Cell...

Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor posing significant treatment challenges, including limited efficacy of conventional therapies and difficulties in bone defect repair following resection. Although calcium silicate cement (CS) exhibits favorable characteristics as a bone filler, such as moldability and high compressive strength, its inherent lack of antitumor properties restricts its use in oncological contexts.

A multifunctional composite bone cement was developed by incorporating nano-Cu2-xSe-a photothermal agent synthesized via a one-pot method-into a CS matrix. The material was systematically evaluated in terms of photothermal performance, setting time, compressive strength, and antitumor efficacy through in vitro assays and in vivo experiments using animal models. Mechanistic studies were conducted to assess whether immunogenic cell death (ICD) was induced in tumor cells.

The addition of only 0.2 wt% nano-Cu _2-x Se enabled effective photothermal conversion under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, reaching temperatures necessary for photothermal therapy (PTT). The composite cement also exhibited a shorter setting time and higher compressive strength compared to pure CS. Both in vitro and in vivo tests confirmed its potent antitumor efficacy, with mechanistic analysis revealing the induction of ICD in tumor cells.

This composite cement constitutes a dual-functional system capable of supporting bone defect repair while providing a photothermal antitumor effect, with potential immunogenic properties. The combination of improved material properties and efficient PTT performance highlights its promise as a strategy for treating bone tumors in a preclinical setting. These results support further development of this material for future translational studies in bone tissue engineering and oncology.