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Updated: May 21, 2026
08:04
Evaluation of Nanoparticle Uptake in Tumors in Real Time Using Intravital Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2011
Photodynamic Therapy Combined with Gemcitabine for Prostate Cancer Using Nanoprobe for in-vivo CEST Imaging
Qibo Fu1, Qian Liu2, Xianyou Zeng3
1Department of Urology, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai, University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research : IJPR
|May 20, 2026
Summary
This study developed novel nanoprobes for enhanced prostate cancer treatment. These nanoprobes enable precise imaging and photodynamic therapy, significantly inhibiting tumor growth and recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Clinical cancer treatment faces challenges including low drug delivery efficiency, delayed efficacy assessment, and high tumor recurrence rates.
- Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) imaging offers molecular specificity and non-invasive monitoring for real-time tracking of nanoprobes' metabolokinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create self-assembled, CEST-activated nanoprobes for imaging and photodynamic therapy of prostate cancer.
- To evaluate the in vivo and in vitro efficacy of these nanoprobes in triggering pyroptosis for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of gemcitabine (Gem) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) co-loaded nanoprobes (GC) using self-assembly.
- Characterization via SEM and DLS; assessment of drug release kinetics under varying pH.
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of ROS generation, pyroptosis markers (IL-1β, IL-18), immunogenic cell death (ICD) markers (CRT, HMGB1), and tumor inhibition via CEST imaging and histological analysis.
Main Results:
- GC nanoprobes exhibited uniform spherical structure with pH-dependent Gem release (80% at pH 5.0).
- Nanoprobe-mediated photodynamic therapy effectively generated ROS and induced pyroptosis, evidenced by increased IL-1β/IL-18 and altered ICD markers.
- In vivo CEST imaging showed significant signal enhancement at the tumor site peaking at 4 hours post-injection, correlating with tumor inhibition and high diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.95).
Conclusions:
- Successfully developed GC nanoprobes activate CEST imaging for precise prostate cancer diagnosis.
- These nanoprobes effectively guide photodynamic sensitization to induce pyroptosis and promote precise tumor ablation.
- The study highlights the clinical value of CEST imaging-guided nanotherapy for early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
