Methylene Blue Loaded CuTryptone Complex Nanoparticles: A New Glutathione-Reduced Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy Nanoplatform

The concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species directly determines the effect of photodynamic therapy. Reducing intracellular glutathione (GSH) content can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Therefore, it is extremely important to construct a nanoplatform that can promote photodynamic therapy by consuming GSH. In this study, we synthesized Cu–typtone complex nanoparticles (Cu–Try NPs) by a simple green method and demonstrated their ability to consume GSH to increase intracellular ROS for the first time. Photosensitizer methylene blue was loaded onto Cu–Try NPs (Cu–Try/MB NPs) for enhanced photodynamic therapy. Studies in vitro and in vivo illustrated that enhanced photodynamic therapy based on Cu–Try/MB NPs can kill cancer cells effectively

Small-Sized MOF-Constructed Multifunctional Diagnosis and Therapy Platform for Tumor

In this article, a type of small-sized metal organic framework (MOF), MIL-101­(Fe), as an intelligent delivery system was fabricated to load chemotherapy drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and photosensitizer methylene blue (MB). In addition, the Fe ions releasedfrom the MOFs in the tumor environment not only enhanced the curative effect of DHA but also catalyzed H2O2 to release O2, which further improved the photodynamic therapeutic effect of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites can serve as a T2 magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent at the same time. The polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used to modify the surface of MOFs-MB-DHA to acquire the excellent controllable release of drugs and good biocompatibility to decrease the side effects for normal cells. All the results show remarkably increase of the therapeutic efficiency by synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy. Thus, a smart multifunctional drug delivery system for diagnosis and therapy based on MOFs-MB-DHA@PLA@PEG was constructed for not only real-time imaging but also chemotherapy and photodynamic synergetic therapy to kill the tumor selectively, showing great potential for conquering the existing barrier in chemo-photodynamic synergetic therapy

Molecular Nature of Structured Water in the Light-Induced Interfacial Capacitance Changes at the Bioelectric Interface

Uncovering the function of structured water in the interfacial capacitance at the molecular level is the basis for the development of the concept and model of the electric double layer; however, the limitation of the available technology makes this task difficult. Herein, using surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy combined with electrochemistry, we revealed the contribution of the cleavage of loosely bonded tetrahedral water to the enhancement of model membrane capacitance. Upon further combination with ionic perturbation, we found that the interface hydrogen bonding environment in the stern layer was greatly significant for the light-induced cleavage of tetrahedral water and thus the conversion of optical signals into electrical signals. Our work has taken an important step toward gaining experimental insight into the relationship between water structure and capacitance at the bioelectric interface

Nanoscale Metal–Organic Framework with an X‑ray Triggerable Prodrug for Synergistic Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

As heavy-metal-based nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nMOFs) are excellent radiosensitizers for radiotherapy via enhanced energy deposition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, we hypothesize that nMOFs with covalently conjugated and X-ray triggerable prodrugs can harness the ROS for on-demand release of chemotherapeutics for chemoradiotherapy. Herein, we report the design of a novel nMOF, Hf-TP-SN, with an X-ray-triggerable 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) prodrug for synergistic radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Upon X-ray irradiation, electron-dense Hf12 secondary building units serve as radiosensitizers to enhance hydroxyl radical generation for the triggered release of SN38 via hydroxylation of the 3,5-dimethoxylbenzyl carbonate followed by 1,4-elimination, leading to 5-fold higher release of SN38 from Hf-TP-SN than its molecular counterpart. As a result, Hf-TP-SN plus radiation induces significant cytotoxicity to cancer cells and efficiently inhibits tumor growth in colon and breast cancer mouse models

All-in-One Theranostic Nanoagent with Enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Modulating Tumor Microenvironment Ability for Effective Tumor Eradication

Despite regulation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level is an intelligent strategy for cancer therapy, the therapeutic effects of ROS-mediated therapy (including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT)) are limited by oxygen reliance, inherent flaws of traditional photosensitizers, and strict reaction conditions of effective Fenton reaction. Herein, we reported biocompatible copper ferrite nanospheres (CFNs) with enhanced ROS production under irradiation with a 650 nm laser through direct electron transfer and photoenhanced Fenton reaction and high photothermal conversion efficiency upon exposure to an 808 nm laser, exhibiting a considerable improved synergistic treatment effect. Importantly, by exploiting the properties of O₂ generation and glutathione (GSH) depletion of CFNs, CFNs relieve the hypoxia and antioxidant capability of the tumor, achieving photoenhanced CDT and improved PDT. The high relaxivity of 468.06 mM^–1 s^–1 enables CFNs to act as an outstanding contrast agent for MRI <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. These findings certify the potential of such “all in one” nanotheranostic agent integrated PDT, photoenhanced CDT, photothermal therapy (PTT), and MRI imaging capabilities along with modulating the tumor microenvironment function in theranostics of cancer