Self-assembled semiconducting polymer based hybrid nanoagents for synergistic tumor treatment

Photothermal therapy of copper incorporated nanomaterials for biomedicine

Studies have reported on the significance of copper incorporated nanomaterials (CINMs) in cancer theranostics and tissue regeneration. Given their unique physicochemical properties and tunable nanostructures, CINMs are used in photothermal therapy (PTT) and photothermal-derived combination therapies. They have the potential to overcome the challenges of unsatisfactory efficacy of conventional therapies in an efficient and non-invasive manner. This review summarizes the recent advances in CINMs-based PTT in biomedicine. First, the classification and structure of CINMs are introduced. CINMs-based PTT combination therapy in tumors and PTT guided by multiple imaging modalities are then reviewed. Various representative designs of CINMs-based PTT in bone, skin and other organs are presented. Furthermore, the biosafety of CINMs is discussed. Finally, this analysis delves into the current challenges that researchers face and offers an optimistic outlook on the prospects of clinical translational research in this field. This review aims at elucidating on the applications of CINMs-based PTT and derived combination therapies in biomedicine to encourage future design and clinical translation.

Metal-Organic Frameworks Meet Polymers: From Synthesis Strategies to Healthcare Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been at the forefront of nanotechnological research for the past decade owing to their high porosity, high surface area, diverse configurations, and controllable chemical structures. They are a rapidly developing class of nanomaterials that are predominantly applied in batteries, supercapacitors, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, sensors, drug delivery, gas separation, adsorption, and storage. However, the limited functions and unsatisfactory performance of MOFs resulting from their low chemical and mechanical stability hamper further development. Hybridizing MOFs with polymers is an excellent solution to these problems, because polymers-which are soft, flexible, malleable, and processable-can induce unique properties in the hybrids based on those of the two disparate components while retaining their individuality. This review highlights recent advances in the preparation of MOF-polymer nanomaterials. Furthermore, several applications wherein the incorporation of polymers enhances the MOF performance are discussed, such as anticancer therapy, bacterial elimination, imaging, therapeutics, protection from oxidative stress and inflammation, and environmental remediation. Finally, insights from the focus of existing research and design principles for mitigating future challenges are presented.

Near-infrared absorbing semiconducting polymer nanomedicines for cancer therapy

As a new type of organic optical nanomaterials, semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) have the advantages of good optical characteristics and photostability, low toxicity concerns, and relatively simple preparation processes. Particularly, near-infrared (NIR) absorbing SPNs have shown a great promise in biomedicine. In addition to acting as nanoprobes for molecular imaging, these SPNs can produce local heat and reactive oxygen species with the stimulation of NIR light, allowing photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), respectively. Herein, we summarize the recent development of SPN-based nanomedicines for cancer therapy. The rational designs of SPNs for enhanced PTT, PDT, or combinational PTT/PDT to achieve effective ablation of tumor tissues are highlighted. Via loading/conjugating SPNs with other therapeutic elements (such as chemotherapeutic drugs and immunotherapeutic agents), phototherapy-combined chemotherapy or immunotherapy can be realized, which is then discussed. In especial, the constructions of SPN-based nanomedicines for NIR photoactivatable chemotherapy and immunotherapy are introduced with representative examples. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and key concerns of SPNs for their biomedical applications and give an outlook for their future clinical translation. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

A Noble AuPtAg-GOx Nanozyme for Synergistic Tumor Immunotherapy Induced by Starvation Therapy-Augmented Mild Photothermal Therapy

Notwithstanding immune checkpoint blocking (ICB) therapy has made eminent clinical breakthroughs, overcoming immunologically "cold" tumors remains challenging. Here, a cascade potentiated nanomodulator AuPtAg-GOx is engineered for boosting immune responsiveness. Upon 1064 nm laser irradiation, AuPtAg-mediated mild photothermal therapy (PTT) activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes and reverses the immunogenic "cold" tumor microenvironment. Further, to amplify the thermal sensitivity of tumor cells, glucose oxidase (GOx) is introduced to suppress the production of heat shock proteins, thereby promoting mild photothermal therapy. Complementarily, AuPtAg nanozymes with catalase-like activity can ameliorate tumor hypoxia, significantly improving the GOx activity. As a result, the combination of AuPtAg-GOx with self-augmented photothermal ability and PD-L1 antibody can further escalate the antitumor efficacy. The AuPtAg-GOx-based synergistic starvation therapy, mild PTT, and immunotherapy cascade enhancement therapy strategy can be a favorable tool to effectively kill cancer cells.

Photoacoustic Imaging Probes for Theranostic Applications

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), an emerging biomedical imaging technology, capitalizes on a wide range of endogenous chromophores and exogenous contrast agents to offer detailed information related to the functional and molecular content of diseased biological tissues. Compared with traditional imaging technologies, PAI offers outstanding advantages, such as a higher spatial resolution, deeper penetrability in biological tissues, and improved imaging contrast. Based on nanomaterials and small molecular organic dyes, a huge number of contrast agents have recently been developed as PAI probes for disease diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we report the recent advances in the development of nanomaterials and organic dye-based PAI probes. The current challenges in the field and future research directions for the designing and fabrication of PAI probes are proposed.

Recent Advances in Copper-Based Organic Complexes and Nanoparticles for Tumor Theranostics

Treatment of drug-resistant forms of cancer requires consideration of their hallmark features, such as abnormal cell death mechanisms or mutations in drug-responding molecular pathways. Malignant cells differ from their normal counterparts in numerous aspects, including copper metabolism. Intracellular copper levels are elevated in various cancer types, and this phenomenon could be employed for the development of novel oncotherapeutic approaches. Copper maintains the cell oxidation levels, regulates the protein activity and metabolism, and is involved in inflammation. Various copper-based compounds, such as nanoparticles or metal-based organic complexes, show specific activity against cancer cells according to preclinical studies. Herein, we summarize the major principles of copper metabolism in cancer cells and its potential in cancer theranostics.

Copper-induced tumor cell death mechanisms and antitumor theragnostic applications of copper complexes

Recent studies found that unbalanced copper homeostasis affect tumor growth, causing irreversible damage. Copper can induce multiple forms of cell death, including apoptosis and autophagy, through various mechanisms, including reactive oxygen species accumulation, proteasome inhibition, and antiangiogenesis. Hence, copper in vivo has attracted tremendous attention and is in the research spotlight in the field of tumor treatment. This review first highlights three typical forms of copper's antitumor mechanisms. Then, the development of diverse biomaterials and nanotechnology allowing copper to be fabricated into diverse structures to realize its theragnostic action is discussed. Novel copper complexes and their clinical applications are subsequently described.