Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
06:42
Plasmonic Photothermal Cancer Therapy: Nanoparticle-embedded Tumor-tissue-mimicking Phantoms for Visualizing Photothermal Temperature Distribution
Published on: May 9, 2025
1.0K
Theranostic Verteporfin-Conjugated Upconversion Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment.
Oleksandr Shapoval1, Vitalii Patsula1, David Větvička2
1Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague, Czech Republic.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 26, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel theranostic upconversion nanoplatform for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT). The nanoplatform integrates multi-wavelength upconversion luminescence, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and PDT to effectively eliminate cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers selective cancer cell elimination but faces limitations due to poor light penetration and photosensitizer hydrophobicity.
- Developing advanced nanoplatforms is crucial for overcoming these challenges and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a theranostic upconversion nanoplatform for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT).
- To integrate multi-wavelength upconversion luminescence, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and PDT functionalities into a single platform.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the developed nanoplatform in a preclinical pancreatic tumor model.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized core-shell upconversion nanoparticles (CS-UCNPs) with specific ion doping for luminescence and MRI properties.
- Coated CS-UCNPs with verteporfin (VP)-conjugated polymers (Ale-P(DMA-AEA)-PEG) for targeted delivery and drug conjugation.
- Investigated nanoparticle-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
- Assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the nanoplatform in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer.
Main Results:
- The synthesized CS-UCNPs exhibited efficient multi-wavelength upconversion luminescence and potential for MRI.
- The conjugated nanoparticles successfully generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon 980 nm NIR irradiation, indicating effective PDT activation.
- Intratumoral administration of the nanoparticle conjugates followed by NIR light exposure led to pancreatic tumor necrosis and suppressed tumor growth in mice.
Conclusions:
- The developed theranostic upconversion nanoplatform demonstrates significant potential for enhancing PDT efficacy.
- The integrated functionalities of luminescence, MRI, and PDT offer a promising approach for precise cancer theranostics.
- This nanoplatform represents a significant advancement in overcoming the limitations of conventional PDT for cancer treatment.
