BSA-based nanoassembly for combined chemo-photodynamic therapy of breast cancer

The integration of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy represents a promising strategy for precision cancer treatment, offering advantages including minimal invasiveness, reduced side effects, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we developed PTX/Ir@BSA nanoparticles through a self-assembly approach using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a stabilizer to co-deliver the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel (PTX) and an iridium (Ir)-based photosensitizer. These nanoparticles demonstrated favorable stability and efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation upon light irradiation. In vitro studies using 4T1 cells revealed that Ir@BSA generated substantial intracellular ROS under UV exposure, effectively inducing tumor cell death. When combined with PTX-mediated chemotherapy, the PTX/Ir@BSA nanoparticles exhibited remarkable antitumor effects. In vivo experiments further confirmed efficient tumor accumulation of the nanoparticles and significant tumor growth inhibition through this combined chemo-photodynamic approach. This work establishes a robust nanoplatform for developing combined chemo-photodynamic therapies, providing new opportunities for enhanced cancer treatment with reduced systemic toxicity and enhanced antitumor efficacy profiles.