A novel reactive oxygen species nano-amplifier for tumor-targeted photoacoustic imaging and synergistic therapy

Li Zhang*, Yadi Fan, Zhe Yang, Chun-Yuen Wong, Mo Yang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Intracellular redox homeostasis and the type of exogenous Fenton reagent play crucial roles in determining the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Herein, we succeeded for the first time in preparing ultrasmall copper sulfide (CuS) nanodots (1–2 nm)-embedded hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticle (HMON), which served as an ideal nanocarrier to load both 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) and disulfiram (DSF) after folate-polyethylene glycol-silane (FA-PEG-Silane) modification. The as-prepared nanoplatform (3-AT/DSF@CuS/HMON-FA, denoted as ADCuSi-FA) was found to regulate intracellular redox homeostasis once internalized by 4T1 cells, showing rapid glutathione (GSH)-responsive 3-AT, DSF and Cu+ ions release. Specifically, 3-AT restrained the endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) consumption by suppressing catalase (CAT) activity, thereby augmenting hydroxyl radical ([rad]OH) generation via Cu+-based Fenton-like reaction. DSF, upon complexation with Cu2+, exhibited enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy, while the by-product Cu+ ions further boosted the efficacy of CDT. Additionally, CuS nanodots enabled near-infrared-II (NIR-II) photothermal therapy (PTT) and facilitated photoacoustic (PA) imaging, with the ensuing hyperthermia expediting the CDT process. As expected, the tumor growth was dramatically inhibited with PTT/chemotherapy co-synergized CDT. This work offers an innovative paradigm for cooperative cancer treatment as well as new insights into the fabrication of biodegradable inorganic/organic hybrid materials. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)331-343
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume681
Online published26 Nov 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2022M720966), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Postdoc Matching Fund Scheme (1-W20Z), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program-Basic Research Scheme (JCYJ20220531090808020), the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong Collaborative Research Grant (C5078-21 EF), the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong General Research Grant (PolyU 15217621, PolyU 15216622, and PolyU 15214619), the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (GHP/032/20SZ and SGDX20201103095404018), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Institute Bai Cheng Bai Yuan Fund (I2022A002), and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Internal Fund (1-ZVVQ, 1-CD6J, 1-WZ4E and 1-CD8M).

Research Keywords

  • Chemodynamic therapy
  • Disulfiram
  • Photoacoustic imaging
  • Photothermal therapy
  • Ultrasmall copper sulfide nanodots

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