Advances in nanomedicines for lymphatic imaging and therapy

Lymph nodes play a pivotal role in tumor progression as key components of the lymphatic system. However, the unique physiological structure of lymph nodes has traditionally constrained the drug delivery efficiency. Excitingly, nanomedicines have shown tremendous advantages in lymph node-specific delivery, enabling distinct recognition and diagnosis of lymph nodes, and hence laying the foundation for efficient tumor therapies. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the key factors affecting the specific enrichment of nanomedicines in lymph nodes, and systematically summarize nanomedicines for precise lymph node drug delivery and therapeutic application, including the lymphatic diagnosis and treatment nanodrugs and lymph node specific imaging and identification system. Notably, we delve into the critical challenges and considerations currently facing lymphatic nanomedicines, and futher propose effective strategies to address these issues. This review encapsulates recent findings, clinical applications, and future prospects for designing effective nanocarriers for lymphatic system targeting, with potential implications for improving cancer treatment strategies.

The Application of Biomedicine in Chemodynamic Therapy: From Material Design to Improved Strategies

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has garnered significant interest as an innovative approach for cancer treatment, owing to its notable tumor specificity and selectivity, minimal systemic toxicity and side effects, and absence of the requirement for field stimulation during treatment. This treatment utilizes nanocatalytic medicines containing transitional metals to release metal ions within tumor cells, subsequently initiating Fenton and Fenton-like reactions. These reactions convert hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into hydroxyl radical (•OH) specifically within the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. However, insufficient endogenous H2O2, the overexpressed reducing substances in the TME, and the weak acidity of solid tumors limit the performance of CDT and restrict its application in vivo. Therefore, a variety of nanozymes and strategies have been designed and developed in order to potentiate CDT against tumors, including the application of various nanozymes and different strategies to remodel TME for enhanced CDT (e.g., increasing the H2O2 level in situ, depleting reductive substances, and lowering the pH value). This review presents an overview of the design and development of various nanocatalysts and the corresponding strategies employed to enhance catalytic drug targeting in recent years. Additionally, it delves into the prospects and obstacles that lie ahead for the future advancement of CDT.

An exploratory human study of superstable homogeneous lipiodol-indocyanine green formulation for precise surgical navigation in liver cancer

The clinical applications of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) conversion therapy combined with hepatectomy have been severely restricted by ill-defined tumoral boundaries and miniscule hidden lesions. Fluorescent surgical navigation is a promising method for overcoming these barriers. However, sufficient delivery of the fluorescent probe into the tumor region after long-term TAE is challenging due to blockade of the tumor-supplying artery. Here, a super-stable homogeneous intermix formulating technology (SHIFT) to physically mix lipiodol and indocyanine green (ICG) formulation (SHIFT and ICG) for fluorescent surgical navigation after long-term TAE conversion therapy is provided. Through the retrospective study of 45 clinical liver cancer patients, it is found that SHIFT and ICG formulation have excellent tumor deposition effect and safety. During surgical resection after long-term TAE conversion therapy, SHIFT and ICG could clearly identify in real time the full tumor regions and boundaries and had a high signal-to-normal tissues ratio-even the indistinguishable satellite lesions could be identified with a strong fluorescence intensity. Meanwhile, SHIFT and ICG could improve operative, anesthetic, and postoperative variables associated with postoperative complications. This simple and effective SHIFT could provide precise fluorescent navigation for surgical resection following long-term embolization therapy in clinical practice and has great potential for a translational pipeline.

Biomimetic Nanotechnology for SARS-CoV-2 Treatment

More than 600 million people worldwide have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In particular, new waves of COVID-19 caused by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants pose new health risks to the global population. Nanotechnology has developed excellent solutions to combat the virus pandemic, such as ACE2-based nanodecoys, nanobodies, nanovaccines, and drug nanocarriers. Lessons learned and strategies developed during this battle against SARS-CoV-2 variants may also serve as inspiration for developing nanotechnology-based strategies to combat other global infectious diseases and their variants in the future.

Regulatory Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes Cell Membrane Coated Nanoparticles: A Novel Targeted Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are the main cell component in the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). FLS intimately interact with infiltrating T cells. Fibroblasts have potent inhibitory effects on T cells, leading to the resolution of inflammation and immune tolerance. However, this "regulatory" phenotype is defect in RA, and FLS in RA instead act as "proinflammatory" phenotype mediating inflammation perpetuation. Signals that orchestrate fibroblast heterogeneity remain unclear. Here, it is demonstrated that different cytokines can induce distinct phenotypes of FLS. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is pivotal in inducing the regulatory phenotype of FLS (which is termed FLSreg ) characterized by high expressions of several inhibitory molecules. Rapamycin enhances the effect of IFN-γ on FLS. Based on the characteristics of FLSreg , a novel biomimetic therapeutic strategy for RA is designed by coating cell membrane derived from FLSreg induced by IFN-γ and rapamycin on nanoparticles, which is called FIRN. FIRN show good efficacy, stability, and inflammatory joint targeting ability in an RA mouse model. The findings clarify how fibroblast phenotypes are modulated in the inflammatory microenvironment and provide insights into novel therapeutic designs for autoimmune diseases based on regulatory fibroblasts.

Advanced Vaccine Design Strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Variants

Vaccination is the most cost-effective means in the fight against infectious diseases. Various kinds of vaccines have been developed since the outbreak of COVID-19, some of which have been approved for clinical application. Though vaccines available achieved partial success in protecting vaccinated subjects from infection or hospitalization, numerous efforts are still needed to end the global pandemic, especially in the case of emerging new variants. Safe and efficient vaccines are the key elements to stop the pandemic from attacking the world now; novel and evolving vaccine technologies are urged in the course of fighting (re)-emerging infectious diseases. Advances in biotechnology offered the progress of vaccinology in the past few years, and lots of innovative approaches have been applied to the vaccine design during the ongoing pandemic. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art vaccine strategies involved in controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In addition, challenges and future directions for rational vaccine design are discussed.

Superstable homogeneous lipiodol-ICG formulation: initial feasibility and first-in-human clinical application for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

The most common treatment of spontaneous tumor rupture hemorrhage (STRH) is transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) followed by liver resection, and surgical navigation using near-infrared fluorescence is effective method for detecting hidden lesions and ill-defined tumor boundaries. However, due to the blockage of the tumor-supplying artery after effective TAE treatment, it is difficult to deliver sufficient fluorescent probes to the tumor region. In this study, we report on the successful application of superstable homogeneous intermixed formulation technology (SHIFT) in precise conversion hepatectomy for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A homogeneous lipiodol-ICG formulation obtained by SHIFT (SHIFT-ICG) was developed for clinical practice for STRH. A ruptured HCC patient received the combined protocol for embolization and fluorescence surgical navigation and exhibited excellent hemostatic effect. Lipiodol and ICG were both effectively deposited in the primary lesion, including a small metastatic lesion. In follow-up laparoscopic hepatectomy, SHIFT-ICG could clearly and precisely image the full tumor regions and boundaries in real time, and even indistinguishable satellite lesions still expressed a remarkable fluorescence intensity. In conclusion, the simple and green SHIFT-ICG formulation can be effectively used in emergency embolization hemostasis and later precise fluorescence navigation hepatectomy in patients with ruptured HCC bleeding and has high clinical application value.

Broadening the Horizons of RNA Delivery Strategies in Cancer Therapy

RNA-based therapy is a promising and innovative strategy for cancer treatment. However, poor stability, immunogenicity, low cellular uptake rate, and difficulty in endosomal escape are considered the major obstacles in the cancer therapy process, severely limiting the development of clinical translation and application. For efficient and safe transport of RNA into cancer cells, it usually needs to be packaged in appropriate carriers so that it can be taken up by the target cells and then be released to the specific location to perform its function. In this review, we will focus on up-to-date insights of the RNA-based delivery carrier and comprehensively describe its application in cancer therapy. We briefly discuss delivery obstacles in RNA-mediated cancer therapy and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of different carriers (cationic polymers, inorganic nanoparticles, lipids, etc.). In addition, we further summarize and discuss the current RNA therapeutic strategies approved for clinical use. A comprehensive overview of various carriers and emerging delivery strategies for RNA delivery, as well as the current status of clinical applications and practice of RNA medicines are classified and integrated to inspire fresh ideas and breakthroughs.

Application of Nanomicelles in Enhancing Bioavailability and Biological Efficacy of Bioactive Nutrients

Nutraceuticals provide many biological benefits besides their basic nutritional value. However, their biological efficacies are often limited by poor absorption and low bioavailability. Nanomaterials have received much attention as potential delivery systems of nutrients and phytonutrients for multiple applications. Nanomicelles are nanosized colloidal structures with a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell. Due to their unique characteristics, they have shown great perspectives in food and nutraceutical science. In this review, we discussed the unique properties of nanomicelles. We also emphasized the latest advances on the design of different nanomicelles for efficient delivery and improved bioavailability of various nutrients. The role of nanomicelles in the efficacy improvement of bioactive components from nutraceutical and health foods has been included. Importantly, the safety concerns on nano-processed food products were highlighted.

Connecting Calcium-Based Nanomaterials and Cancer: From Diagnosis to Therapy

As the indispensable second cellular messenger, calcium signaling is involved in the regulation of almost all physiological processes by activating specific target proteins. The importance of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) makes its "Janus nature" strictly regulated by its concentration. Abnormal regulation of calcium signals may cause some diseases; however, artificial regulation of calcium homeostasis in local lesions may also play a therapeutic role. "Calcium overload," for example, is characterized by excessive enrichment of intracellular Ca²⁺, which irreversibly switches calcium signaling from "positive regulation" to "reverse destruction," leading to cell death. However, this undesirable death could be defined as "calcicoptosis" to offer a novel approach for cancer treatment. Indeed, Ca²⁺ is involved in various cancer diagnostic and therapeutic events, including calcium overload-induced calcium homeostasis disorder, calcium channels dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium-associated immunoregulation, cell/vascular/tumor calcification, and calcification-mediated CT imaging. In parallel, the development of multifunctional calcium-based nanomaterials (e.g., calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium peroxide, and hydroxyapatite) is becoming abundantly available. This review will highlight the latest insights of the calcium-based nanomaterials, explain their application, and provide novel perspective. Identifying and characterizing new patterns of calcium-dependent signaling and exploiting the disease element linkage offer additional translational opportunities for cancer theranostics.

Atomically Precise Water-Soluble Graphene Quantum Dot for Cancer Sonodynamic Therapy

Although water-soluble graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have shown various promising bio-applications due to their intriguing optical and chemical properties, the large heterogeneity in compositions, sizes, and shapes of these GQDs hampers the better understanding of their structure-properties correlation and further uses in terms of large-scale manufacturing practices and safety concerns. It is shown here that a water-soluble atomically-precise GQD (WAGQD-C₉₆ ) is synthesized and exhibits a deep-red emission and excellent sonodynamic sensitization. By decorating sterically hindered water-soluble functional groups, WAGQD-C₉₆ can be monodispersed in water without further aggregation. The deep-red emission of WAGQD-C₉₆ facilitates the tracking of its bio-process, showing a good cell-uptake and long-time retention in tumor tissue. Compared to traditional molecular sonosensitizers, WAGQD-C₉₆ generates superior reactive oxygen species and demonstrates excellent tumor inhibition potency as an anti-cancer sonosensitizer in in vivo studies. A good biosafety of WAGQD-C₉₆ is validated in both in vitro and in vivo assays.

Immunosuppression Reversal Nanovaccines Substituting Dendritic Cells for Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy

Although immunotherapy has paved a new avenue for cancer treatment, inadequate immune response often executes suboptimal therapeutic effects. In general, an effective immune response undergoes presentation of antigen by antigen-presenting cells, proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes, and attack of cancer cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The antigen self-presentation and immunosuppression reversal (ASPIRE) nanovaccine derived from dendritic cells provides a simplified and immune deregulated procedure for immunotherapy profiting from its orientable peculiarity. By integrating major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules into present specific epitopes and co-delivering anti-PD-1 antibody and B7 costimulatory molecules through the programmed biomimetic synthesis, the ASPIRE nanovaccine demonstrates a milestone in personalized cancer immunotherapy.

A nanovaccine for antigen self-presentation and immunosuppression reversal as a personalized cancer immunotherapy strategy

The strategy of combining a vaccine with immune checkpoint inhibitors has been widely investigated in cancer management, but the complete response rate for this strategy is still unresolved. We describe a genetically engineered cell membrane nanovesicle that integrates antigen self-presentation and immunosuppression reversal (ASPIRE) for cancer immunotherapy. The ASPIRE nanovaccine is derived from recombinant adenovirus-infected dendritic cells in which specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I (pMHC-I), anti-PD1 antibody and B7 co-stimulatory molecules are simultaneously anchored by a programmed process. ASPIRE can markedly improve antigen delivery to lymphoid organs and generate broad-spectrum T-cell responses that eliminate established tumours. This work presents a powerful vaccine formula that can directly activate both native T cells and exhausted T cells, and suggests a general strategy for personalized cancer immunotherapy.

Superior Fluorescent Nanoemulsion Illuminates Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Surgical Navigation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fifth most common cancer worldwide, poses a severe threat to public health. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging provides a golden opportunity for surgeons to visualize tumor-involved margins, thereby implementing precise HCC resection with minimal damage to normal tissues. Here, a novel-acting contrast agent, which facilely bridges indocyanine green (ICG) and lipiodol using self-emulsifying nanotechnology, was developed for optical surgical navigation. Compared to clinically available ICG probe, our prepared nanoemulsion showed obviously red-shifted optical absorption and enhanced fluorescence intensity. Further benefiting from the shielding effect of lipiodol, the fluorescence stability and anti-photobleaching ability of nanoemulsion were highly improved, indicating a great capacity for long-lasting in vivo intraoperative imaging. Under the fluorescence guidance of nanoemulsion, the tumor tissues were clearly delineated with a signal-to-noise ratio above 5-fold, and then underwent a complete surgical resection from orthotopic HCC-bearing mice. Such superior fluorescence performances, ultrahigh tumor-to-liver contrast, as well as great bio-safety, warrants the great translational potential of nanoemulsion in precise HCC imaging and intraoperative navigation.

Application of Self-Assembly Nanoparticles Based on DVDMS for Fenton-Like Ion Delivery and Enhanced Sonodynamic Therapy

Upon harnessing low-intensity ultrasound to activate sonosensitizers, sonodynamic therapy (SDT) induces cancer cell death through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated pathway. Compared with photodynamic therapy (PDT), SDT possesses numerous advantages, including deeper tissue penetration, higher accuracy, fewer side effects, and better patient compliance. Sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS), a sonosensitizer approved by the FDA, has drawn abundant attention in clinical research, but there are some deficiencies. In order to further improve the efficiency of DVDMS, many studies have applied self-assembly nanotechnology to modify it. Furthermore, the combined applications of SDT/chemodynamic therapy (CDT) have become a research hotspot in tumor therapy. Therefore, we explored the self-assembly of nanoparticles based on DVDMS and copper to combine SDT and CDT. A cost-effective sonosensitizer was synthesized by dropping CuCl₂ into the DVDMS solution with the assistance of PVP. The results revealed that the nanostructures could exert excellent treatment effects on tumor therapy and perform well for PET imaging, indicating the potential for cancer theranostics. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the nanoparticles have outstanding biocompatibility, higher ROS production efficiency, and antitumor efficacy. We believe this design can represent a simple approach to combining SDT and CDT with potential applications in clinical treatment and PET imaging.

Global Burden, Incidence and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for Dermatitis: A Systematic Analysis Combined With Socioeconomic Development Status, 1990–2019

Background

Dermatitis is an important global health problem that not only affects social interaction and physical and mental health but also causes economic burden. Health problems or distress caused by dermatitis may be easily overlooked, and relevant epidemiological data are limited. Therefore, a better understanding of the burden of dermatitis is necessary for developing global intervention strategies.

Methods

All data on dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis (AD), contact dermatitis (CD) and seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD), were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD2019) database. The extracted age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) data were analysed by stratification, including by sex, country or region, and sociodemographic index (SDI) indicators. Finally, we analysed the correlation between the global burden of dermatitis and socioeconomic development status.

Results

According to the GBD 2019 estimate, the ASIR and ASDR for the three major types of dermatitis in 2019 were 5244.3988 (95% CI 4551.7244–5979.3176) per 100,000 person-years and 131.6711 (95% CI 77.5876–206.8796) per 100,000 person-years. The ASIR and ASDR of atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and seborrhoeic dermatitis are: Incidence (95%CI,per 100,000 person-years), 327.91 (312.76-343.67), 3066.04 (2405.38-3755.38), 1850.44 (1706.25- 1993.74); DALYs (95%CI, per 100,000 person-years), 99.69 (53.09-167.43), 28.06 (17.62-41.78), 3.93 (2.24-6.25). In addition, among the three dermatitis types, the greatest burden was associated with AD. According to the ASDR from 1990 to 2019, the burden of dermatitis has exhibited a slow downward trend in recent years. In 2019, the ASIR showed that the USA had the greatest burden, while the ASDR showed that Asian countries (such as Japan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan) and some European countries (France, Estonia) had the greatest burden. According to SDI stratification and the three major dermatitis types, high ASIR and ASDR corresponded to high SDI areas (especially for AD).

Conclusion

The burden of dermatitis is related to socioeconomic development status, especially for AD, which is positively correlated with the SDI. The results based on GBD2019 data are valuable for formulating policy, preventing and treating dermatitis and reducing the global burden of dermatitis.

Functional nanovesicles displaying anti-PD-L1 antibodies for programmed photoimmunotherapy

Background

Photoimmunotherapy is one of the most promising strategies in tumor immunotherapies, but targeted delivery of photosensitizers and adjuvants to tumors remains a major challenge. Here, as a proof of concept, we describe bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived nanovesicles (NVs) displaying anti-PD-L1 antibodies (aPD-L1) that were genetically engineered for targeted drug delivery.

Results

The high affinity and specificity between aPD-L1 and tumor cells allow aPD-L1 NVs to selectively deliver photosensitizers to cancer tissues and exert potent directed photothermal ablation. The tumor immune microenvironment was programmed via ablation, and the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) was designed to fuse with aPD-L1. The corresponding membrane vesicles were then extracted as an antigen–antibody integrator (AAI). AAI can work as a nanovaccine with the immune adjuvant R837 encapsulated. This in turn can directly stimulate dendritic cells (DCs) to boast the body's immune response to residual lesions.

Conclusions

aPD-L1 NV-based photoimmunotherapy significantly improves the efficacy of photothermal ablation and synergistically enhances subsequent immune activation. This study describes a promising strategy for developing ligand-targeted and personalized cancer photoimmunotherapy.

Graphic Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01266-3.

Bioinspired Membrane-Coated Nanoplatform for Targeted Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy can effectively activate the immune system and reshape the tumor immune microenvironment, which has been an alternative method in cancer therapy besides surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, the current clinical outcomes are not satisfied due to the lack of targeting of the treatment with some unexpected damages to the human body. Recently, cell membrane-based bioinspired nanoparticles for tumor immunotherapy have attracted much attention because of their superior immune regulating, drug delivery, excellent tumor targeting, and biocompatibility. Together, the article reviews the recent progress of cell membrane-based bioinspired nanoparticles for immunotherapy in cancer treatment. We also evaluate the prospect of bioinspired nanoparticles in immunotherapy for cancer. This strategy may open up new research directions for cancer therapy.

Bioresponsive immune-booster-based prodrug nanogel for cancer immunotherapy

The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy motivates a potent immune system by triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD), showing great potential in inhibiting tumor growth and improving the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM). However, the therapeutic effectiveness has been restricted by inferior drug bioavailability. Herein, we reported a universal bioresponsive doxorubicin (DOX)-based nanogel to achieve tumor-specific co-delivery of drugs. DOX-based mannose nanogels (DM NGs) was designed and choosed as an example to elucidate the mechanism of combined chemo-immunotherapy. As expected, the DM NGs exhibited prominent micellar stability, selective drug release and prolonged survival time, benefited from the enhanced tumor permeability and prolonged blood circulation. We discovered that the DOX delivered by DM NGs could induce powerful anti-tumor immune response facilitated by promoting ICD. Meanwhile, the released mannose from DM NGs was proved as a powerful and synergetic treatment for breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, via damaging the glucose metabolism in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Overall, the regulation of tumor microenvironment with DOX-based nanogel is expected to be an effectual candidate strategy to overcome the current limitations of ICD-based immunotherapy, offering a paradigm for the exploitation of immunomodulatory nanomedicines.

Biomimetic nanoparticles blocking autophagy for enhanced chemotherapy and metastasis inhibition via reversing focal adhesion disassembly

BACKGROUND

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process, which plays an important role in regulating tumor cell motility and degrading protein aggregates. Chemotherapy-induced autophagy may lead to tumor distant metastasis and even chemo-insensitivity in the therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, a vast majority of HCC cases do not produce a significant response to monotherapy with autophagy inhibitors.

RESULTS

In this work, we developed a biomimetic nanoformulation (TH-NP) co-encapsulating Oxaliplatin (OXA)/hydroxychloroquine (HCQ, an autophagy inhibitor) to execute targeted autophagy inhibition, reduce tumor cell migration and invasion in vitro and attenuate metastasis in vivo. The tumor cell-specific ligand TRAIL was bioengineered to be stably expressed on HUVECs and the resultant membrane vesicles were wrapped on OXA/HCQ-loaded PLGA nanocores. Especially, TH-NPs could significantly improve OXA and HCQ effective concentration by approximately 21 and 13 times in tumor tissues compared to the free mixture of HCQ/OXA. Moreover, the tumor-targeting TH-NPs released HCQ alkalized the acidic lysosomes and inhibited the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes, leading to effective blockade of autophagic flux. In short, the system largely improved chemotherapeutic performance of OXA on subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mice models. Importantly, TH-NPs also exhibited the most effective inhibition of tumor metastasis in orthotopic HCCLM3 models, and in the HepG2, Huh-7 or HCCLM3 metastatic mice models. Finally, we illustrated the enhanced metastasis inhibition was attributed to the blockade or reverse of the autophagy-mediated degradation of focal adhesions (FAs) including E-cadherin and paxillin.

CONCLUSIONS

TH-NPs can perform an enhanced chemotherapy and antimetastatic effect, and may represent a promising strategy for HCC therapy in clinics.

A pure nanoICG-based homogeneous lipiodol formulation: toward precise surgical navigation of primary liver cancer after long-term transcatheter arterial embolization

PURPOSE

To surmount the critical issues of indocyanine green (ICG), and thus achieving a precise surgical navigation of primary liver cancer after long-term transcatheter arterial embolization.

METHODS

In this study, a facile and green pure-nanomedicine formulation technology is developed to construct carrier-free indocyanine green nanoparticles (nanoICG), and which subsequently dispersed into lipiodol via a super-stable homogeneous lipiodol formulation technology (SHIFT nanoICG) for transcatheter arterial embolization combined near-infrared fluorescence-guided precise hepatectomy.

RESULTS

SHIFT nanoICG integrates excellent anti-photobleaching capacity, great optical imaging property, and specific tumoral deposition to recognize tumor regions, featuring entire-process enduring fluorescent-guided precise hepatectomy, especially in resection of the indiscoverable satellite lesions (0.6 mm × 0.4 mm) in rabbit bearing VX2 orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma models.

CONCLUSION

Such a simple and effective strategy provides a promising avenue to address the clinical issue of clinical hepatectomy and has excellent potential for a translational pipeline.