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Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
Injectable Cu2+ loaded rhein hydrogel for cross-amplifying osteosarcoma apoptosis and cuproptosis
Jianwei Zhu1, Tingyiwen Zhou2, Xiaopeng Tang2
1Department of Biochemistry, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yong Loo Lin School of, National University of Singapore, 119074, Singapore.
This study introduces an injectable hydrogel combining copper ions and rhein to treat osteosarcoma (OS). It synergistically enhances cancer cell death by combining sonodynamic therapy, cuproptosis, and epitranscriptomic regulation for improved OS therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Osteosarcoma (OS) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatments.
- Developing novel strategies that combine multiple therapeutic modalities is crucial for improving OS patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable hydrogel (RCugel) loaded with Cu2+ and rhein for integrated sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and cuproptosis.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of RCugel on osteosarcoma treatment through RNA epitranscriptomic regulation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an injectable Cu2+-loaded rhein hydrogel (RCugel).
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of RCugel's therapeutic efficacy in osteosarcoma models.
- Investigation of the underlying mechanisms involving cuproptosis, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and epitranscriptomic modulation (FTO/DACT1/β-catenin/ATP7B axis).
Main Results:
- RCugel effectively released Cu2+ and rhein, triggering cuproptosis and apoptosis via SDT under sonication.
- Cu2+ amplified apoptosis through Fenton-like reactions, while rhein modulated the epitranscriptomic axis to enhance cuproptosis.
- Synergistic amplification between apoptosis and cuproptosis was observed, leading to potent osteosarcoma treatment.
Conclusions:
- RCugel demonstrates a potent synergistic effect by combining SDT, cuproptosis, and epitranscriptomic regulation for osteosarcoma therapy.
- This integrated approach offers a promising translational strategy for enhancing osteosarcoma treatment efficacy.

