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Lee LCC, Lo KKW. Leveraging the Photofunctions of Transition Metal Complexes for the Design of Innovative Phototherapeutics. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400563. [PMID: 39319499 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Despite the advent of various medical interventions for cancer treatment, the disease continues to pose a formidable global health challenge, necessitating the development of new therapeutic approaches for more effective treatment outcomes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which utilizes light to activate a photosensitizer to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for eradicating cancer cells, has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment due to its high spatiotemporal precision and minimal invasiveness. However, the widespread clinical use of PDT faces several challenges, including the inefficient production of ROS in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, the limited penetration depth of light in biological tissues, and the inadequate accumulation of photosensitizers at the tumor site. Over the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the utilization of photofunctional transition metal complexes as photosensitizers for PDT applications due to their intriguing photophysical and photochemical properties. This review provides an overview of the current design strategies used in the development of transition metal complexes as innovative phototherapeutics, aiming to address the limitations associated with PDT and achieve more effective treatment outcomes. The current challenges and future perspectives on the clinical translation of transition metal complexes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Cho-Cheung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Kenneth Kam-Wing Lo
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P. R. China
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Ren Q, Wang H, Li D, Dao A, Luo J, Wang D, Zhang P, Huang H. An Electron Donor-Acceptor Structured Rhenium(I) Complex Photo-Sensitizer Evokes Mutually Reinforcing "Closed-Loop" Ferroptosis and Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2304067. [PMID: 38597369 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The hypoxic microenvironment of solid tumors severely lowers the efficacy of oxygen-dependent photodynamic therapy (PDT). The development of hypoxia-tolerant photosensitizers for PDT is an urgent requirement. In this study, a novel rhenium complex (Re-TTPY) to develop a "closed-loop" therapy based on PDT-induced ferroptosis and immune therapy is reported. Due to its electron donor-acceptor (D-A) structure, Re-TTPY undergoes energy transfer and electron transfer processes under 550 nm light irradiation and displays hypoxia-tolerant type I/II combined PDT capability, which can generate 1O2, O2 -, and ·OH simultaneously. Further, the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) leads to the depletion of 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and glutathione (GSH). As a result, ferroptosis occurs in cells, simultaneously triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD), and promotes the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and infiltration of T cells. The release of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by CD8+ T cells downregulates the expression of GPX4, further enhancing the occurrence of ferroptosis, and thereby, forming a mutually reinforcing "closed-loop" therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyan Ren
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Haobing Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Anyi Dao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Shenzhen campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No.66, Gongchang Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiajun Luo
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Deliang Wang
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Huzhou University, East 2nd Ring Rd. No. 759, Huzhou, 313000, China
| | - Pingyu Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Huaiyi Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Shenzhen campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No.66, Gongchang Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
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Li XL, Wang MF, Zeng LZ, Li GK, Zhao RY, Liu FD, Li Y, Yan YF, Liu Q, Li Z, Zhang H, Ren X, Gao F. Bithiophene-Functionalized Infrared Two-Photon Absorption Metal Complexes as Single-Molecule Platforms for Synergistic Photodynamic, Photothermal, and Chemotherapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402028. [PMID: 38656658 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
A planar conjugated ligand functionalized with bithiophene and its Ru(II), Os(II), and Ir(III) complexes have been constructed as single-molecule platform for synergistic photodynamic, photothermal, and chemotherapy. The complexes have significant two-photon absorption at 808 nm and remarkable singlet oxygen and superoxide anion production in aqueous solution and cells when exposed to 808 nm infrared irradiation. The most potent Ru(II) complex Ru7 enters tumor cells via the rare macropinocytosis, locates in both nuclei and mitochondria, and regulates DNA-related chemotherapeutic mechanisms intranuclearly including DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition and their synergistic effects with photoactivated apoptosis, ferroptosis and DNA cleavage. Ru7 exhibits high efficacy in vivo for malignant melanoma and cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer tumors, with a 100 % survival rate of mice, low toxicity to normal cells and low residual rate. Such an infrared two-photon activatable metal complex may contribute to a new generation of single-molecule-based integrated diagnosis and treatment platform to address drug resistance in clinical practice and phototherapy for large, deeply located solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Lian Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Fan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Li-Zhen Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Guo-Kui Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Run-Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Fu-Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Yun Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Fei Yan
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Qishuai Liu
- Animal Research and Resource Center, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Zhao Li
- Animal Research and Resource Center, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxia Ren
- Animal Research and Resource Center, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
| | - Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, East Outer Ring Road, Kunming, 650500, P. R. China
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Xie K, Lu XY, Zhu H, Zhu LY, Li RT, Ye RR. Iridium(III) complexes conjugated with naproxen exhibit potent anti-tumor activities by inducing mitochondrial damage, modulating inflammation, and enhancing immunity. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:8772-8780. [PMID: 38712840 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00575a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
A series of Ir(III)-naproxen (NPX) conjugates with the molecular formula [Ir(C^N)2bpy(4-CH2ONPX-4'-CH2ONPX)](PF6) (Ir-NPX-1-3) were designed and synthesized, including C^N = 2-phenylpyridine (ppy, Ir-NPX-1), 2-(2-thienyl)pyridine (thpy, Ir-NPX-2) and 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy, Ir-NPX-3). Cytotoxicity tests showed that Ir-NPX-1-3 exhibited excellent antitumor activity, especially in A549R cells. The cellular uptake experiment showed that the complexes were mainly localized in mitochondria, and induced apoptosis in A549R cells by damaging the structure and function of mitochondria. The main manifestations are a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, Ir-NPX-1-3 could inhibit the migration and colony formation of cancer cells, demonstrating potential anti-metastatic ability. Finally, the anti-inflammatory and immunological applications of Ir-NPX-1-3 were verified. The downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression levels and the release of immunogenic cell death (ICD) related signaling molecules such as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (cell surface calreticulin (CRT), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)) indicate that these Ir(III) -NPX conjugates are novel ICD inducers with synergistic effects in multiple anti-tumor pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xie
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, P. R. China.
| | - Xing-Yun Lu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, P. R. China.
| | - Hou Zhu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, P. R. China.
| | - Lin-Yuan Zhu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, P. R. China.
| | - Rong-Tao Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, P. R. China.
| | - Rui-Rong Ye
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, P. R. China.
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Kim D, Kim H. Analysis of Optimal Treatment Starting Time for Photothermal Therapy Through Analysis of Diffusion Behavior of Gold Nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:3167-3186. [PMID: 38585473 PMCID: PMC10999192 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s452470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Due to its distinct advantage of non-invasive application in treatment, photothermal therapy (PTT) is being studied by many researchers to reduce the need for surgical incisions. It is characterized by the injection of nanoparticles into biological tissue as photothermal agents (PTAs) which diffuse within the tissue. In this study, the diffusion behavior of various doses of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) injected into tumor tissues is analyzed and the effectiveness of PTT at each elapsed time after injection is confirmed by numerical analysis. Methods The diffusion behavior of AuNPs within biological tissues is assessed using the convection-diffusion equation, while the temperature distribution is determined using the Pennes bioheat transfer equation. In addition, the effect of the diffusion behavior of AuNPs on the effectiveness of PTT is quantitatively confirmed by analyzing the temperature distribution in the medium through the apoptotic variable. Numerical simulation parameters are selected with doses ranging from 100 to 400 μg/mL, elapsed time after injection from 1 min to 24 h, and laser power ranging from 0 to 1 W. Results After evaluating PTT's efficacy in every situation, it was discovered that a dosage of 100-300 μg/mL produced the best therapeutic result, with the highest impact occurring 12 hours after injection. In contrast, when the dosage was 400 μg/mL, the highest therapeutic effect was achieved after 18 hours post-injection. Additionally, it was discovered that the ideal laser power at each injection dose was 0.22, 0.14, 0.12, and 0.12 W, respectively. Conclusion The conditions required to achieve the optimal treatment effect at each dosage, presented here, are expected to accelerate the commercialization of PTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghyuk Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Korea
| | - Hyunjung Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, Korea
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Kasparkova J, Hernández-García A, Kostrhunova H, Goicuría M, Novohradsky V, Bautista D, Markova L, Santana MD, Brabec V, Ruiz J. Novel 2-(5-Arylthiophen-2-yl)-benzoazole Cyclometalated Iridium(III) dppz Complexes Exhibit Selective Phototoxicity in Cancer Cells by Lysosomal Damage and Oncosis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:691-708. [PMID: 38141031 PMCID: PMC10788912 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
A second-generation series of biscyclometalated 2-(5-aryl-thienyl)-benzimidazole and -benzothiazole Ir(III) dppz complexes [Ir(C^N)2(dppz)]+, Ir1-Ir4, were rationally designed and synthesized, where the aryl group attached to the thienyl ring was p-CF3C6H4 or p-Me2NC6H4. These new Ir(III) complexes were assessed as photosensitizers to explore the structure-activity correlations for their potential use in biocompatible anticancer photodynamic therapy. When irradiated with blue light, the complexes exhibited high selective potency across several cancer cell lines predisposed to photodynamic therapy; the benzothiazole derivatives (Ir1 and Ir2) were the best performers, Ir2 being also activatable with green or red light. Notably, when irradiated, the complexes induced leakage of lysosomal content into the cytoplasm of HeLa cancer cells and induced oncosis-like cell death. The capability of the new Ir complexes to photoinduce cell death in 3D HeLa spheroids has also been demonstrated. The investigated Ir complexes can also catalytically photo-oxidate NADH and photogenerate 1O2 and/or •OH in cell-free media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Kasparkova
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Alba Hernández-García
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
| | - Hana Kostrhunova
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Goicuría
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
| | - Vojtěch Novohradsky
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | | | - Lenka Markova
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - María Dolores Santana
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
| | - Viktor Brabec
- Czech
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Kralovopolska 135, Brno CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - José Ruiz
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Murcia, and Biomedical
Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia E-30100, Spain
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Li XL, Zeng LZ, Yang R, Bi XD, Zhang Y, Cui RB, Wu XX, Gao F. Iridium(III)-Based Infrared Two-Photon Photosensitizers: Systematic Regulation of Their Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:16122-16130. [PMID: 37717260 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes are of significant importance in the field of antitumor photodynamic therapy (PDT), whether they exist as single molecules or are incorporated into nanomaterials. Nevertheless, a comprehensive examination of the relationship between their molecular structure and PDT effectiveness remains awaited. The influencing factors of two-photon excited PDT can be anticipated to be further multiplied, particularly in relation to intricate nonlinear optical properties. At present, a comprehensive body of research on this topic is lacking, and few discernible patterns have been identified. In this study, through systematic structure regulation, the nitro-substituted styryl group and 1-phenylisoquinoline ligand containing YQ2 was found to be the most potent infrared two-photon excitable photosensitizer in a 4 × 3 combination library of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes. YQ2 could enter cells via an energy-dependent and caveolae-mediated pathway, bind specifically to mitochondria, produce 1O2 in response to 808 nm LPL irradiation, activate caspases, and induce apoptosis. In vitro, YQ2 displayed a remarkable phototherapy index for both malignant melanoma (>885) and non-small-cell lung cancer (>1234) based on these functions and was minimally deleterious to human normal liver and kidney cells. In in vivo antitumor phototherapy, YQ2 inhibited tumor growth by an impressive 85% and could be eliminated from the bodies of mice with a half-life as short as 43 h. This study has the potential to contribute significantly to the development of phototherapeutic drugs that are extremely effective in treating large, profoundly located solid tumors as well as the understanding of the structure-activity relationship of Ir(III)-based PSs in PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Lian Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Li-Zhen Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Rong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Xu-Dan Bi
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Ruo-Bing Cui
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Xi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education; Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products; School of Pharmacy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
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