A Nanoemulsion with A Porphyrin Shell for Cancer Theranostics

Tuning Shortwave-Infrared J-aggregates of Aromatic Ring-Fused Aza-BODIPYs by Peripheral Substituents for Combined Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies at Ultralow Laser Power

Achieving photothermal therapy (PTT) at ultralow laser power density is crucial for minimizing photo-damage and allowing for higher maximum permissible skin exposure. However, this requires photothermal agents to possess not just superior photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), but also exceptional near-infrared (NIR) absorptivity. J-aggregates, exhibit a significant redshift and narrower absorption peak with a higher extinction coefficient. Nevertheless, achieving predictable J-aggregates through molecular design remains a challenge. In this study, we successfully induced desirable J-aggregation (λabs max : 968 nm, ϵ: 2.96×105  M-1  cm-1 , λem max : 972 nm, ΦFL : 6.2 %) by tuning electrostatic interactions between π-conjugated molecular planes through manipulating molecular surface electrostatic potential of aromatic ring-fused aza-BODIPY dyes. Notably, by controlling the preparation method for encapsulating dyes into F-127 polymer, we were able to selectively generate H-/J-aggregates, respectively. Furthermore, the J-aggregates exhibited two controllable morphologies: nanospheres and nanowires. Importantly, the shortwave-infrared J-aggregated nanoparticles with impressive PCE of 72.9 % effectively destroyed cancer cells and mice-tumors at an ultralow power density of 0.27 W cm-2 (915 nm). This phototherapeutic nano-platform, which generates predictable J-aggregation behavior, and can controllably form J-/H-aggregates and selectable J-aggregate morphology, is a valuable paradigm for developing photothermal agents for tumor-treatment at ultralow laser power density.

Biomimetic Nanoemulsion for Synergistic Photodynamic-Immunotherapy Against Hypoxic Breast Tumor

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is commonly used as an "in situ vaccine" to enhance the response rate of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. Unfortunately, the high cost and adverse effects of these antibodies, and the hypoxic state of solid tumors limits the efficacy of synergistic photodynamic-immunotherapy. Here, we developed a biomimetic nanoemulsion camouflaged with a PD-1-expressing cell membrane for synergistic photodynamic-immunotherapy against hypoxic breast tumors. The perfluorocarbon of the nanoemulsion could provide oxygen as the source of PDT against hypoxic tumors. Moreover, co-delivering a photosensitizer and the PD-1 protein (substituting for a PD-L1 antibody) achieves the synergy effect of PDT and immunotherapy. Synergistic photodynamic-immunotherapy completely inhibited primary and distant subcutaneous 4T1 tumors, mechanistically by boosting the maturation of dendritic cells and tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.