Near-infrared light triggered in situ release of CO for enhanced therapy of glioblastoma.

in Journal of nanobiotechnology by Juan Ge, Miaomiao Zuo, Qirong Wang, Zhen Li

TLDR

  • A new therapeutic nanoplatform combining PDT and CO therapy demonstrates enhanced efficacy in treating refractory glioblastoma.
  • The nanoplatform utilizes UCNPs as a photon transducer to generate CO and ROS in the tumor site, enhancing therapeutic efficiency and reducing side effects.
  • This new approach shows promise for the treatment of refractory glioblastoma and may be applicable to other cancer types and diseases.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) features high biocompatibility and high spatiotemporal selectivity, showing a great potential in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. However, its application was restricted by the poor therapeutic efficacy and side effect. In this study, a therapeutic nanoplatform (UCNPs@Ce6/3HBQ@CM) with combination of PDT and CO therapy was constructed, in which a photoCORM and a photosensitizer were loaded onto the surface of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) functioning as photon transducer. Benefitting from NIR excitation and multicolor emission of UCNPs, the penetration depth of excitation light is enhanced and meanwhile simultaneous generation of CO and ROS in tumor site can be achieved. The as-prepared nanocomposite possessed an elevated therapeutic efficiency with the assistance of CO through influencing mitochondrial respiration and depleting ATP, accompanying with the reduced inflammatory responses. By wrapping a homologous cell membrane, the nanocomposite can target GBM and accumulate in the tumor site, affording a powerful tool for precise and efficient treatment of GBM. This therapeutic nanoplatform UCNPs@Ce6/3HBQ@CM, which combines PDT and CO therapy enables precise and efficient treatment of refractory glioblastoma.

Overview

  • The study aims to develop a therapeutic nanoplatform for glioblastoma treatment by combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) and carbon monoxide (CO) therapy.
  • The nanoplatform, UCNPs@Ce6/3HBQ@CM, consists of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) loaded with a photoCORM and a photosensitizer.
  • The study aims to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects of PDT by utilizing CO as a therapy component.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The nanoplatform showed enhanced therapeutic efficiency compared to PDT alone, with a significant reduction in tumor size and inflammation.
  • The CO therapy component was found to influence mitochondrial respiration and deplete ATP, contributing to the increased therapeutic efficacy.
  • The simultaneous generation of CO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor site was achieved through the use of UCNPs as a photon transducer.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study highlights the potential of combining PDT with CO therapy as a promising approach for the treatment of refractory glioblastoma.
  • Future studies could focus on optimizing the nanoplatform's composition and design to further enhance its therapeutic efficacy and safety.
  • The potential application of this therapeutic nanoplatform in other cancer types and diseases warrants further exploration.
Read Full Article