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Miao J, Yao G, Huo Y, Wang B, Zhao W, Guo W. Constructing Heavy-Atom-Free Photosensitizers for Hypoxic Tumor Phototherapy Based on Donor-Excited Photoinduced Electron-Transfer-Driven Type-I and Type-II Mechanisms. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 39042585 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) photophysical process has shown great potential for constructing heavy-atom-free photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. However, for almost all such PSs reported to date, the SOCT-ISC is driven by the acceptor-excited photoinduced electron transfer (a-PeT). In this work, for the first time the donor-excited photoinduced electron transfer (d-PeT)-driven SOCT-ISC mechanism is utilized to construct the heavy-atom-free PSs for PDT of tumors by directly installing the electron-deficient N-alkylquinolinium unit (as an electron acceptor) into the meso-position of the near-infrared (NIR) distyryl Bodipy chromophore (as an electron donor). In the less polar environment, the PSs exist as the monomer and promote the production of singlet oxygen (1O2) (Type-II) relying on the d-PeT-driven population of the triplet excited state via SOCT-ISC, whereas in the aqueous environment, they exist as nanoaggregates and induce the generation of superoxides (O2-•) and hydroxyl radicals (HO•) (Type-I) via the d-PeT-driven formation of the delocalized charge-separated state. The PSs could rapidly be internalized into cancer cells and induce the simultaneous production of intracellular 1O2, O2-•, and HO• upon NIR light irradiation, endowing the PSs with superb photocytotoxicity with IC50 values up to submicromolar levels whether under normoxia or under hypoxia. Based on the PSs platform, a tumor-targetable PS is developed, and its abilities in killing cancer cells and in ablating tumors without damage to normal cells/tissues under NIR light irradiation are verified in vitro and in vivo. The study expands the design scope of PSs by introducing the d-PeT conception, thus being highly valuable for achieving novel PSs in the realm of tumor PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Miao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Guangxiao Yao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yingying Huo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Beibei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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2
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Chen W, Wang Z, Hong G, Du J, Song F, Peng X. Self-assembly-integrated tumor targeting and electron transfer programming towards boosting tumor type I photodynamic therapy. Chem Sci 2024; 15:10945-10953. [PMID: 39027272 PMCID: PMC11253188 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc03008g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I photodynamic therapy (PDT) is attracting increasing interest as an effective solution to the poor prognosis of patients with hypoxic tumors. The development of functional type I photosensitizers is limited by a lack of feasible strategies to systematically modulate electron transfer (ET) in photosensitization. Herein, we present an easily accessible approach for the preparation of nanophotosensitizers with self-assembly-integrated tumor-targeting and ET programming towards boosting tumor type I PDT. Specifically, a dual functional amphiphile PS-02 was designed with a ligand (6-NS) that had the ability to not only target tumor cell marker carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) but also regulate the ET process for type I PDT. The amphiphile PS-02 tended to self-assemble into PS-02 nanoparticles (NPs), which exhibited a local "ET-cage effect" due to the electron-deficient nature of 6-NS. It is noteworthy that when PS-02 NPs selectively targeted the tumor cells, the CAIX binding enabled the uncaging of the inhibited ET process owing to the electron-rich characteristic of CAIX. Therefore, PS-02 NPs integrated tumor targeting and CAIX activation towards boosting type I PDT. As a proof of concept, the improved PDT performance of PS-02 NPs was demonstrated with tumor cells under hypoxic conditions and solid tumor tissue in mouse in vivo experiments. This work provides a practical paradigm to develop versatile type I PDT nano-photosensitizers by simply manipulating ET and easy self-assembling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Chen
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, A301 Virtual University Park in South District of Shenzhen 518057 P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
| | - Zehui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
| | - Gaobo Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
| | - Fengling Song
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, A301 Virtual University Park in South District of Shenzhen 518057 P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 P. R. China
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3
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Zhang X, Wang J, Hu MH. Promising G-Quadruplex-Targeted Dibenzoquinoxaline Type-1 Photosensitizer Triggers DNA Damage in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2174-2184. [PMID: 39022360 PMCID: PMC11249623 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are potential drug targets in cancer treatment. However, the G4-targeted ligands seem to lack sufficient selectivity between tumors and normal tissues, appealing for a new modified anticancer strategy on the basis of them. Type-1 photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising strategy possessing excellent spatiotemporal precision for solid tumors with a hypoxic microenvironment. However, type-1 photosensitizers that target G4s and induce in situ photodamage have never been previously reported. In this study, we reported a promising type-1 photosensitizer based on a G4-targeted, high-contrast fluorescent ligand (TR2). The subsequent studies demonstrated that TR2 could transfer from lysosomes to nuclei and induce elevated G4 formation as well as DNA damage upon irradiation. Notably, it was observed that TR2 may not activate DNA damage repair machinery upon irradiation, suggesting a durable, strong effect on inducing DNA damage. Consequently, light-irradiated TR2 exhibited excellent photocytotoxicity on triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation (at nanomolar concentration) and showed obvious inhibition on the growth of three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids. Finally, RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that TR2-mediated PDT may have a negative impact on enhancing the DNA damage repair machinery and may activate the antitumor immunity pathways. Overall, this study provided a promising chemical tool for image-guided PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Nation-Regional Engineering
Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center,
School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University
Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jingxin Wang
- Nation-Regional Engineering
Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center,
School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University
Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ming-Hao Hu
- Nation-Regional Engineering
Lab for Synthetic Biology of Medicine, International Cancer Center,
School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University
Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
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4
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Wei L, Kushwaha R, Sadhukhan T, Wu H, Dao A, Zhang Z, Zhu H, Gong Q, Ru J, Liang C, Zhang P, Banerjee S, Huang H. Dinuclear Tridentate Ru(II) Complex with Strong Near-Infrared Light-Triggered Anticancer Activity. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11125-11137. [PMID: 38905437 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00624] [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: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The design of the dinuclear Ru(II) complex (Ru2) with strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption properties has been reported for efficient anticancer phototherapy. Under 700 nm LED light excitation, Ru2 exhibited remarkable synergistic type I/II photosensitization ability and photocatalytic activity toward intracellular biomolecules. Ru2 showed impressive 700 nm light-triggered anticancer activity under normoxia and hypoxia compared with the clinically used photosensitizer Chlorin e6. The mechanistic studies showed that Ru2 induced intracellular redox imbalance and perturbed the energy metabolism and biosynthesis in A549 cancer cells. Overall, this work provides a new strategy for developing efficient metal-based complexes for anticancer phototherapy under NIR light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, P.R. China
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Rajesh Kushwaha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Tumpa Sadhukhan
- Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Haorui Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, P.R. China
| | - Anyi Dao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, P.R. China
| | - Zhishang Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, P.R. China
| | - Haotu Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, P.R. China
| | - Qiufang Gong
- Institute for Advanced Research, Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejinag 325035, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxi Ru
- Institute for Advanced Research, Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejinag 325035, P.R. China
| | - Chao Liang
- Institute for Advanced Research, Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejinag 325035, P.R. China
| | - Pingyu Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Samya Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Huaiyi Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, P.R. China
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Zhang X, Dou Y, Liu S, Chen P, Wen Y, Li J, Sun Y, Zhang R. Rationally Designed Benzobisthiadiazole-Based Covalent Organic Framework for High-Performance NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Photodynamic Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303842. [PMID: 38458147 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303842] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Although being applied as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) fail the precise fluorescence imaging in vivo and phototherapy in deep-tissue, due to short excitation/emission wavelengths. Herein, this work proposes the first example of NIR-II emissive and benzobisthiadiazole-based COF-980. Comparing to its ligands, the structure of COF-980 can more efficiently reducing the energy gap (ΔES1-T1) between the excited state and the triplet state to enhance photodynamic therapy efficiency. Importantly, COF-980 demonstrates high photostability, good anti-diffusion property, superior reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency, promising imaging ability, and ROS production in deep tissue (≈8 mm). Surprisingly, COF-980 combined with laser irradiation could trigger larger amount of intracellular ROS to high efficiently induce cancer cell death. Notably, COF-980 NPs precisely enable PDT guided by NIR-II fluorescence imaging that effectively inhibit the 4T1 tumor growth with negligible adverse effects. This study provides a universal approach to developing long-wavelength emissive COFs and exploits its applications for biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhang
- The Radiology Department of First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, P. R. China
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430079, P. R. China
| | - You Dou
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430079, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Peiyao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, P. R. China
| | - Yating Wen
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, P. R. China
| | - Junrong Li
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430079, P. R. China
| | - Yao Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430079, P. R. China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- The Radiology Department of First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, P. R. China
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6
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Zhuang J, Qi G, Feng Y, Wu M, Zhang H, Wang D, Zhang X, Chong KC, Li B, Liu S, Tian J, Shan Y, Mao D, Liu B. Thymoquinone as an electron transfer mediator to convert Type II photosensitizers to Type I photosensitizers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4943. [PMID: 38858372 PMCID: PMC11164902 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49311-z] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of Type I photosensitizers (PSs) is of great importance due to the inherent hypoxic intolerance of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the hypoxic microenvironment. Compared to Type II PSs, Type I PSs are less reported due to the absence of a general molecular design strategy. Herein, we report that the combination of typical Type II PS and natural substrate carvacrol (CA) can significantly facilitate the Type I pathway to efficiently generate superoxide radical (O2-•). Detailed mechanism study suggests that CA is activated into thymoquinone (TQ) by local singlet oxygen generated from the PS upon light irradiation. With TQ as an efficient electron transfer mediator, it promotes the conversion of O2 to O2-• by PS via electron transfer-based Type I pathway. Notably, three classical Type II PSs are employed to demonstrate the universality of the proposed approach. The Type I PDT against S. aureus has been demonstrated under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Furthermore, this coupled photodynamic agent exhibits significant bactericidal activity with an antibacterial rate of 99.6% for the bacterial-infection female mice in the in vivo experiments. Here, we show a simple, effective, and universal method to endow traditional Type II PSs with hypoxic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Zhuang
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guobin Qi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yecheng Feng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Wu
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dandan Wang
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xianhe Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kok Chan Chong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shitai Liu
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianwu Tian
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Shan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Duo Mao
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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7
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Zhang C, Li D, Zhang X, Dai R, Kang W, Li Y, Liu Q, Gao M, Zheng Z, Zhang R, Wen Z. Dual regulation of osteosarcoma hypoxia microenvironment by a bioinspired oxygen nanogenerator for precise single-laser synergistic photodynamic/photothermal/induced antitumor immunity therapy. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101054. [PMID: 38633865 PMCID: PMC11021954 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of osteosarcoma (OS) is the Achilles' heel of oxygen-dependent photodynamic therapy (PDT), and tremendous challenges are confronted to reverse the hypoxia. Herein, we proposed a "reducing expenditure of O2 and broadening sources" dual-strategy and constructed ultrasmall IrO2@BSA-ATO nanogenerators (NGs) for decreasing the O2-consumption and elevating the O2-supply simultaneously. As O2 NGs, the intrinsic catalase (CAT) activity could precisely decompose the overexpressed H2O2 to produce O2 in situ, enabling exogenous O2 infusion. Moreover, the cell respiration inhibitor atovaquone (ATO) would be at the tumor sites, effectively inhibiting cell respiration and elevating oxygen content for endogenous O2 conservation. As a result, IrO2@BSA-ATO NGs systematically increase tumor oxygenation in dual ways and significantly enhance the antitumor efficacy of PDT. Moreover, the extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency allows the implementation of precise photothermal therapy (PTT) under photoacoustic guidance. Upon a single laser irradiation, this synergistic PDT, PTT, and the following immunosuppression regulation performance of IrO2@BSA-ATO NGs achieved a superior tumor cooperative eradicating capability both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, this study proposes an innovative dual-strategy to address the serious hypoxia problem, and this microenvironment-regulable IrO2@BSA-ATO NGs as a multifunctional theranostics platform shows great potential for OS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongqing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Brain Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Medical Imaging Department, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital (Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University), Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Dongsheng Li
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Medical Imaging Department, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital (Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University), Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Rong Dai
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Weiwei Kang
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Yao Li
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Mengting Gao
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Ziliang Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital), Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Zhaohui Wen
- Department of Neurology, Brain Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
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8
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Chen M, Zhang Z, Lin R, Liu J, Xie M, He X, Zheng C, Kang M, Li X, Feng HT, Lam JWY, Wang D, Tang BZ. A planar electronic acceptor motif contributing to NIR-II AIEgen with combined imaging and therapeutic applications. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6777-6788. [PMID: 38725487 PMCID: PMC11077540 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06886b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Designing molecules with donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) architecture plays an important role in obtaining second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) fluorescent dyes for biomedical applications; however, this always comes with a challenge due to very limited electronic acceptors. On the other hand, to endow NIR-II fluorescent dyes with combined therapeutic applications, trivial molecular design is indispensable. Herein, we propose a pyrazine-based planar electronic acceptor with a strong electron affinity, which can be used to develop NIR-II fluorescent dyes. By structurally attaching two classical triphenylamine electronic donors to it, a basic D-A-D module, namely Py-NIR, can be generated. The planarity of the electronic acceptor is crucial to induce a distinct NIR-II emission peaking at ∼1100 nm. The unique construction of the electronic acceptor can cause a twisted and flexible molecular conformation by the repulsive effect between the donors, which is essential to the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property. The tuned intramolecular motions and twisted D-A pair brought by the electronic acceptor can lead to a remarkable photothermal conversion with an efficiency of 56.1% and induce a type I photosensitization with a favorable hydroxyl radical (OH˙) formation. Note that no additional measures are adopted in the molecular design, providing an ideal platform to realize NIR-II fluorescent probes with synergetic functions based on such an acceptor. Besides, the nanoparticles of Py-NIR can exhibit excellent NIR-II fluorescence imaging towards orthotopic 4T1 breast tumors in living mice with a high sensitivity and contrast. Combined with photothermal imaging and photoacoustic imaging caused by the thermal effect, the imaging-guided photoablation of tumors can be well performed. Our work has created a new opportunity to develop NIR-II fluorescent probes for accelerating biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University Guangzhou 510632 China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- Center for AIR Research, College of Materials and Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China
| | - Runfeng Lin
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University Guangzhou 510632 China
| | - Junkai Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong 999077 China
| | - Meizhu Xie
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University Guangzhou 510632 China
| | - Xiang He
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University Guangzhou 510632 China
| | - Canze Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University Guangzhou 510632 China
| | - Miaomiao Kang
- Center for AIR Research, College of Materials and Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China
| | - Xue Li
- Center for AIR Research, College of Materials and Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China
| | - Hai-Tao Feng
- AIE Research Center, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Baoji University of Arts and Sciences Baoji 721013 China
| | - Jacky W Y Lam
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong 999077 China
| | - Dong Wang
- Center for AIR Research, College of Materials and Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong 999077 China
- School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen (CUHK-SZ) Guangdong China
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9
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Zhao J, Li X, Ma T, Chang B, Zhang B, Fang J. Glutathione-triggered prodrugs: Design strategies, potential applications, and perspectives. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1013-1054. [PMID: 38140851 DOI: 10.1002/med.22007] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The burgeoning prodrug strategy offers a promising avenue toward improving the efficacy and specificity of cytotoxic drugs. Elevated intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH) have been regarded as a hallmark of tumor cells and characteristic feature of the tumor microenvironment. Considering the pivotal involvement of elevated GSH in the tumorigenic process, a diverse repertoire of GSH-triggered prodrugs has been developed for cancer therapy, facilitating the attenuation of deleterious side effects associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents and/or the attainment of more efficacious therapeutic outcomes. These prodrug formulations encompass a spectrum of architectures, spanning from small molecules to polymer-based and organic-inorganic nanomaterial constructs. Although the GSH-triggered prodrugs have been gaining increasing interests, a comprehensive review of the advancements made in the field is still lacking. To fill the existing lacuna, this review undertakes a retrospective analysis of noteworthy research endeavors, based on a categorization of these molecules by their diverse recognition units (i.e., disulfides, diselenides, Michael acceptors, and sulfonamides/sulfonates). This review also focuses on explaining the distinct benefits of employing various chemical architecture strategies in the design of these prodrug agents. Furthermore, we highlight the potential for synergistic functionality by incorporating multiple-targeting conjugates, theranostic entities, and combinational treatment modalities, all of which rely on the GSH-triggering. Overall, an extensive overview of the emerging field is presented in this review, highlighting the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead. Our overarching goal is to furnish methodological guidance for the development of more efficacious GSH-triggered prodrugs in the future. By assessing the pros and cons of current GSH-triggered prodrugs, we expect that this review will be a handful reference for prodrug design, and would provide a guidance for improving the properties of prodrugs and discovering novel trigger scaffolds for constructing GSH-triggered prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintao Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xinming Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bingbing Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Baoxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jianguo Fang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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10
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Wang X, Shi G, Wei R, Li M, Zhang Q, Zhang T, Chen CF, Hu HY. Fine-tuning of stable organic free-radical photosensitizers for photodynamic immunotherapy. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6421-6431. [PMID: 38699264 PMCID: PMC11062115 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06826a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic immunotherapy (PDI) is an innovative approach to cancer treatment that utilizes photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photosensitizers (PSs) to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, currently most commonly used PSs have restricted capabilities to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via a type-II mechanism under hypoxic environments, which limits their effectiveness in PDI. To overcome this, we propose a novel approach for constructing oxygen independent PSs based on stable organic free-radical molecules. By fine-tuning the characteristics of tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-methyl (TTM) radicals through the incorporation of electron-donating moieties, we successfully found that TTMIndoOMe could produce substantial amounts of ROS even in hypoxic environments. In vitro experiments showed that TTMIndoOMe could effectively produce O2˙-, kill tumor cells and trigger ICD. Moreover, in vivo experiments also demonstrated that TTMIndoOMe could further trigger anti-tumor immune response and exhibit a superior therapeutic effect compared with PDT alone. Our study offers a promising approach towards the development of next-generation PSs functioning efficiently even under hypoxic conditions and also paves the way for the creation of more effective PSs for PDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100050 China
| | - Gaona Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100050 China
| | - Rao Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100050 China
| | - Meng Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
| | - Qingyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100050 China
| | - Tiantai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100050 China
| | - Chuan-Feng Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
| | - Hai-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100050 China
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11
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Huang D, Zou Y, Huang H, Yin J, Long S, Sun W, Du J, Fan J, Chen X, Peng X. A PROTAC Augmenter for Photo-Driven Pyroptosis in Breast Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313460. [PMID: 38364230 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has recently emerged as a promising strategy for inducing post-translational knockdown of target proteins in disease treatment. The degradation of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), an essential nuclear protein for gene transcription, induced by PROTAC is proposed as an epigenetic approach to treat breast cancer. However, the poor membrane permeability and indiscriminate distribution of PROTAC in vivo results in low bioavailability, limiting its development and application. Herein, a nano "targeting chimera" (abbreviated as L@NBMZ) consisting of BRD4-PROTAC combined with a photosensitizer, to serve as the first augmenter for photo-driven pyroptosis in breast cancer, is developed. With excellent BRD4 degradation ability, high biosafety, and biocompatibility, L@NBMZ blocks gene transcription by degrading BRD4 through proteasomes in vivo, and surprisingly, induces the cleavage of caspase-3. This type of caspase-3 cleavage is synergistically amplified by light irradiation in the presence of photosensitizers, leading to efficient photo-driven pyroptosis. Both in vitro and in vivo outcomes demonstrate the remarkable anti-cancer efficacy of this augmenter, which significantly inhibits the lung metastasis of breast cancer in vivo. Thus, the photo-PROTAC "targeting chimera" augmenter construction strategy may pave a new way for expanding PROTAC applications within anti-cancer paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daipeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Haiqiao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518071, P. R. China
| | - Jikai Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Saran Long
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Jiangli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518071, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518071, P. R. China
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12
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Wang Z, Yang L. Natural-product-based, carrier-free, noncovalent nanoparticles for tumor chemo-photodynamic combination therapy. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107150. [PMID: 38521285 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Cancer, with its diversity, heterogeneity, and complexity, is a significant contributor to global morbidity, disability, and mortality, highlighting the necessity for transformative treatment approaches. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has aroused continuous interest as a viable alternative to conventional cancer treatments that encounter drug resistance. Nanotechnology has brought new advances in medicine and has shown great potential in drug delivery and cancer treatment. For precise and efficient therapeutic utilization of such a tumor therapeutic approach with high spatiotemporal selectivity and minimal invasiveness, the carrier-free noncovalent nanoparticles (NPs) based on chemo-photodynamic combination therapy is essential. Utilizing natural products as the foundation for nanodrug development offers unparalleled advantages, including exceptional pharmacological activity, easy functionalization/modification, and well biocompatibility. The natural-product-based, carrier-free, noncovalent NPs revealed excellent synergistic anticancer activity in comparison with free photosensitizers and free bioactive natural products, representing an alternative and favorable combination therapeutic avenue to improve therapeutic efficacy. Herein, a comprehensive summary of current strategies and representative application examples of carrier-free noncovalent NPs in the past decade based on natural products (such as paclitaxel, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, doxorubicin, etoposide, combretastatin A4, epigallocatechin gallate, and curcumin) for tumor chemo-photodynamic combination therapy. We highlight the insightful design and synthesis of the smart carrier-free NPs that aim to enhance PDT efficacy. Meanwhile, we discuss the future challenges and potential opportunities associated with these NPs to provide new enlightenment, spur innovative ideas, and facilitate PDT-mediated clinical transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Natural Products and Pharmaceutical Intermediates in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus, Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Liyan Yang
- School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China.
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13
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Yi Z, Qin X, Zhang L, Chen H, Song T, Luo Z, Wang T, Lau J, Wu Y, Toh TB, Lee CS, Bu W, Liu X. Mitochondria-Targeting Type-I Photodrug: Harnessing Caspase-3 Activity for Pyroptotic Oncotherapy. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:9413-9421. [PMID: 38506128 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01929] [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: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Precise control of cellular signaling events during programmed cell death is crucial yet challenging for cancer therapy. The modulation of signal transduction in cancer cells holds promise but is limited by the lack of efficient, biocompatible, and spatiotemporally controllable approaches. Here we report a photodynamic strategy that modulates both apoptotic and pyroptotic cell death by altering caspase-3 protein activity and the associated signaling crosstalk. This strategy employs a mitochondria-targeting, near-infrared activatable probe (termed M-TOP) that functions via a type-I photochemical mechanism. M-TOP is less dependent on oxygen and more effective in treating drug-resistant cancer cells, even under hypoxic conditions. Our study shows that higher doses of M-TOP induce pyroptotic cell death via the caspase-3/gasdermin-E pathway, whereas lower doses lead to apoptosis. This photodynamic method is effective across diverse gasdermin-E-expressing cancer cells. Moreover, the M-TOP mediated shift from apoptotic to pyroptotic modulation can evoke a controlled inflammatory response, leading to a robust yet balanced immune reaction. This effectively inhibits both distal tumor growth and postsurgical tumor recurrence. This work demonstrates the feasibility of modulating intracellular signaling through the rational design of photodynamic anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigao Yi
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- The N1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Xujuan Qin
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Yiwu Research Institute of Fudan University, Yiwu 322000, P. R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
| | - Huan Chen
- Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Tianlin Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zichao Luo
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- The N1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Junwei Lau
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- The N1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Yelin Wu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Chun-Sing Lee
- Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Wenbo Bu
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Yiwu Research Institute of Fudan University, Yiwu 322000, P. R. China
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- The N1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
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14
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Tang Y, Li Y, Li B, Song W, Qi G, Tian J, Huang W, Fan Q, Liu B. Oxygen-independent organic photosensitizer with ultralow-power NIR photoexcitation for tumor-specific photodynamic therapy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2530. [PMID: 38514624 PMCID: PMC10957938 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46768-w] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment but has limitations due to its dependence on oxygen and high-power-density photoexcitation. Here, we report polymer-based organic photosensitizers (PSs) through rational PS skeleton design and precise side-chain engineering to generate •O2- and •OH under oxygen-free conditions using ultralow-power 808 nm photoexcitation for tumor-specific photodynamic ablation. The designed organic PS skeletons can generate electron-hole pairs to sensitize H2O into •O2- and •OH under oxygen-free conditions with 808 nm photoexcitation, achieving NIR-photoexcited and oxygen-independent •O2- and •OH production. Further, compared with commonly used alkyl side chains, glycol oligomer as the PS side chain mitigates electron-hole recombination and offers more H2O molecules around the electron-hole pairs generated from the hydrophobic PS skeletons, which can yield 4-fold stronger •O2- and •OH production, thus allowing an ultralow-power photoexcitation to yield high PDT effect. Finally, the feasibility of developing activatable PSs for tumor-specific photodynamic therapy in female mice is further demonstrated under 808 nm irradiation with an ultralow-power of 15 mW cm-2. The study not only provides further insights into the PDT mechanism but also offers a general design guideline to develop an oxygen-independent organic PS using ultralow-power NIR photoexcitation for tumor-specific PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufu Tang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wentao Song
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guobin Qi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianwu Tian
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China
| | - Quli Fan
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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15
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Paul S, Ghosh S, Maity T, Behera PP, Mukherjee A, De P. Photocleavable Visible Light-Triggered Anthraquinone-Derived Water-Soluble Block Copolymer for Peroxynitrite Generation in Cancer Therapy. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:288-295. [PMID: 38368530 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00728] [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: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
We report a facile stimuli-responsive strategy to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) in the biological milieu from a photocleavable water-soluble block copolymer under visible light irradiation (427 nm, 2.25 mW/cm2). An anthraquinone-based water-soluble polymeric nitric oxide (NO) donor (BCPx-NO) is synthesized, which exhibits NO release in the range of 40-65 μM within 10 h of photoirradiation with a half-life of 30-103 min. Additionally, BCPx-NO produces peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and singlet oxygen (1O2) under photoirradiation. To understand the mechanism of NO release and photolysis of the functional group under blue light, we prepared a small-molecule anthraquinone-based N-nitrosamine (NOD). The cellular investigation of the effect of spatiotemporally controlled ONOO- and 1O2 generation from the NO donor polymeric nanoparticles in a triple negative breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) under visible light irradiation (white light, 5.83 mW/cm2; total dose 31.5 J/cm2) showed an IC50 of 0.6 mg/mL. The stimuli-responsive strategy using a photolabile water-soluble block copolymer employed to generate ROS and RNS in a biological setting widens the horizon for their potential in cancer therapy.
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16
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Teng KX, Zhang D, Liu BK, Liu ZF, Niu LY, Yang QZ. Photo-Induced Disproportionation-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy: Simultaneous Oxidation of Tetrahydrobiopterin and Generation of Superoxide Radicals. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318783. [PMID: 38258371 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318783] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
We herein present an approach of photo-induced disproportionation for preparation of Type-I photodynamic agents. As a proof of concept, BODIPY-based photosensitizers were rationally designed and prepared. The photo-induced intermolecular electron transfer between homotypic chromophores leads to the disproportionation reaction, resulting in the formation of charged intermediates, cationic and anionic radicals. The cationic radicals efficiently oxidize the cellularimportant coenzyme, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4 ), and the anionic radicals transfer electrons to oxygen to produce superoxide radicals (O2 - ⋅). One of our Type-I photodynamic agents not only self-assembles in water but also effectively targets the endoplasmic reticulum. It displayed excellent photocytotoxicity even in highly hypoxic environments (2 % O2 ), with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 0.96 μM, and demonstrated outstanding antitumor efficacy in murine models bearing HeLa tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Xu Teng
- Institution Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Dongsheng Zhang
- Institution Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, P. R. China
| | - Bin-Kai Liu
- Institution Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Zheng-Fei Liu
- Institution Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Li-Ya Niu
- Institution Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Zheng Yang
- Institution Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China
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17
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Xu Y, Chau CV, Lee J, Sedgwick AC, Yu L, Li M, Peng X, Kim JS, Sessler JL. Lutetium texaphyrin: A photocatalyst that triggers pyroptosis via biomolecular photoredox catalysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314620121. [PMID: 38381784 PMCID: PMC10907263 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314620121] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Photon-controlled pyroptosis activation (PhotoPyro) is a promising technique for cancer immunotherapy due to its noninvasive nature, precise control, and ease of operation. Here, we report that biomolecular photoredox catalysis in cells might be an important mechanism underlying PhotoPyro. Our findings reveal that the photocatalyst lutetium texaphyrin (MLu) facilitates rapid and direct photoredox oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and various amino acids, thereby triggering pyroptosis through the caspase 3/GSDME pathway. This mechanism is distinct from the well-established role of MLu as a photodynamic therapy sensitizer in cells. Two analogs of MLu, bearing different coordinated central metal cations, were also explored as controls. The first control, gadolinium texaphyrin (MGd), is a weak photocatalyst but generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) efficiently. The second control, manganese texaphyrin (MMn), is ineffective as both a photocatalyst and a ROS generator. Neither MGd nor MMn was found to trigger pyroptosis under the conditions where MLu was active. Even in the presence of a ROS scavenger, treating MDA-MB-231 cells with MLu at concentrations as low as 50 nM still allows for pyroptosis photo-activation. The present findings highlight how biomolecular photoredox catalysis could contribute to pyroptosis activation by mechanisms largely independent of ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Calvin V. Chau
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712-1224
| | - Jieun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Adam C. Sedgwick
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712-1224
| | - Le Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Mingle Li
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- TheranoChem Incorporation, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul02856, Korea
| | - Jonathan L. Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712-1224
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18
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Zhuang J, Ma Z, Li N, Chen H, Yang L, Lu Y, Guo K, Zhao N, Tang BZ. Molecular Engineering of Plasma Membrane and Mitochondria Dual-Targeted NIR-II AIE Photosensitizer Evoking Synergetic Pyroptosis and Apoptosis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309488. [PMID: 37988801 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Phototherapy provides a noninvasive and spatiotemporal controllable paradigm to inhibit the evasion of the programmed cell death (PCD) of tumors. However, conventional photosensitizers (PSs) often induce a single PCD process, resulting in insufficient photodamage and severely impeding their application scopes. In this study, molecular engineering is conducted by adjusting electron donors to develop an aggregation-induced NIR-II emissive PS (DPITQ) for plasma membrane and mitochondria dual-targeted tumor therapy by evoking synergetic pyroptosis and apoptosis. DPITQ displays boosted type I and II reactive oxygen species generation as well as a high photothermal conversion efficacy (43%) after laser irradiation of 635 nm. The excellent biocompatibility and appropriate lipophilicity help the DPITQ to specifically anchor in the plasma membrane and mitochondria of cancer cells. Furthermore, the photosensitized DPITQ can disrupt the intact plasma membrane and cause mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately causing concurrent pyroptosis and apoptosis to suppress cancer cell proliferation even under hypoxia. It is noteworthy that the DPITQ nanoparticles (NPs) present clear NIR-II fluorescence imaging capability on the venous vessels of nude mice. Notably, the DPITQ NPs exert efficient NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided phototherapy both in multicellular tumor spheroids and in vivo, causing maximum destruction to tumors but minimum adverse effects to normal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabao Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Zhedong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Huan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Lijin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Ying Lu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Keyi Guo
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Na Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Shenzhen, 518172, P. R. China
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19
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Xu Y, Yang L, Wang C, Sun W, Zheng Y, Ou B, Wu L, Shi L, Lin X, Chen W. Ferroptosis boosted oral cancer photodynamic therapy by carrier-free Sorafenib-Ce6 self-assembly nanoparticles. J Control Release 2024; 366:798-811. [PMID: 38184236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.12.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Oral cancer is a disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide and greatly impacts the quality of life, especially in patients with advanced stages. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the most effective clinical treatments for oral cancers. However, most clinically applied photosensitizers have several deficiencies, including oxygen dependence, poor aqueous solubility, and a lack of tumor-targeting ability. Herein, the carrier-free multifunctional Sorafenib (Sor), chlorin e6 (Ce6), and Fe3+ self-assembly co-delivery nanoparticles (Sor-Ce6 NPs) were constructed via combining a ferroptosis inducer Sor and a photosensitizer Ce6 for synergetic therapy. The as-synthesized Sor-Ce6 NPs presented excellent colloidal stability and water dispersity with good in vivo tumor-targeting ability. More significantly, the low dose of Sor-Ce6 NPs had little dark toxicity but produced significantly enhanced ROS and supplied O2 sustainably to increase phototoxicity through ferroptosis pathway. Notably, the Sor-Ce6 NPs showed significantly higher in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy than the Sor/Ce6 mixture due to the improvement of cellular uptake and the incorporation of foreign Fe ions in the system, which also confer the T1 magnetic resonance-guided imaging ability to the formed Sor-Ce6 NPs. Our study demonstrates a promising self-assembled strategy for overcoming hypoxia-related PDT resistance for oral cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Liu Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Chengyan Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Weiming Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Yijing Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Beiwei Ou
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Lixian Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Leilei Shi
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases in Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Xi Lin
- Public Technology Service Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
| | - Wei Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
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20
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Chen X, Cheng D, Yu N, Feng J, Li J, Lin L. Tumor-targeting polymer nanohybrids with amplified ROS generation for combined photodynamic and chemodynamic therapy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:1296-1306. [PMID: 38193142 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02341a] [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: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating strategies have been widely adopted for cancer therapy, but therapeutic efficacies are often low due to the complicated tumor microenvironment. In this study, we present the development of tumor-targeting polymer nanohybrids that amplify ROS generation by combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for cancer treatment. Such polymer nanohybrids contained three main components: a semiconducting polymer (SP) that acted as the photosensitizer for PDT, manganese dioxide (MnO2) that acted as the catalyst for CDT, and transferrin that mediated tumor targeting via binding to transferrin receptors overexpressed on the surface of tumor cells. The formed nanohybrids (TSM) showed obviously enhanced accumulation efficacy in tumor sites because of their targeting ability. In tumor sites, TSM produced singlet oxygen (1O2) under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation and a hydroxyl radical (˙OH) via reacting with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which resulted in amplified generation of ROS to achieve PDT/CDT combinational therapy. The growth of subcutaneous 4T1 tumors was remarkably inhibited via TSM-mediated treatment. In addition, this therapeutic efficacy could suppress tumor metastasis in the liver and lungs. This study presents a targeting hybrid nanoplatform to combine different ROS generating strategies for effective cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Chen
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| | - Danling Cheng
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Ningyue Yu
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Jian Feng
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Jingchao Li
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
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21
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Jiang X, Yi L, Li C, Wang H, Xiong W, Li Y, Zhou Z, Shen J. Mitochondrial Disruption Nanosystem Simultaneously Depressed Programmed Death Ligand-1 and Transforming Growth Factor-β to Overcome Photodynamic Immunotherapy Resistance. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3331-3348. [PMID: 38227812 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Currently, limited photosensitizers possess the capacity to reverse tumor hypoxia and reduce programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression simultaneously, hindering the perfect photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect due to acquired immune resistance and the tumor hypoxic microenvironment. To tackle these challenges, in this research, we demonstrated that mitochondrial energy metabolism depression can be utilized as an innovative and efficient approach for reducing the expression of PD-L1 and TGF-β simultaneously, which may offer a design strategy for a more ideal PDT nanosystem. Through proteomic analysis of 5637 cells, we revealed that tamoxifen (TMX) can incredibly regulate PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. Then, to selectively deliver clinically used mitochondrial energy metabolism depressant TMX to solid tumors as well as design an ideal PDT nanosystem, we synthesized MHI-TMX@ALB by combining a mitochondria-targeted heptamethine cyanine PDT-dye MHI with TMX through self-assembly with albumin (ALB). Interestingly enough, the MHI-TMX@ALB nanoparticle demonstrated effective reversion of tumor hypoxia and inhibition of PD-L1 protein expression at a lower dosage (7.5 times to TMX), which then enhanced the efficacy of photodynamic immunotherapy via enhancing T-cell infiltration. Apart from this, by leveraging the heptamethine dye's targeting capacity toward tumors and TMX's role in suppressing TGF-β, MHI-TMX@ALB also more effectively mitigated 4T1 tumor lung metastasis development. All in all, the MHI-TMX@ALB nanoparticle could be used as a multifunctional economical PD-L1 and TGF-β codepression immune-regulating strategy, broadening the potential clinical applications for a more ideal PDT nanosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Lei Yi
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Haoxiang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zaigang Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Jianliang Shen
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Tissue Repair Materials, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325001, China
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22
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Zhao M, Zhang Y, Miao J, Zhou H, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Miao M, Chen W, Xing W, Li Q, Miao Q. An Activatable Phototheranostic Probe for Anti-hypoxic Type I Photodynamic- and Immuno-Therapy of Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305243. [PMID: 37643544 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which utilizes type I photoreactions, has great potential as an effective cancer treatment because of its hypoxia-tolerant superiority over the commonly used type II pathway. A few type I photosensitizers are exploited; however, they majorly induce cytotoxicity and possess poor tumor specificity and low-efficient theranostics. To resolve this issue, herein an aminopeptidase N (APN)-activated type I phototheranostic probe (CyA) is reported for anti-hypoxic PDT in conjunction with immunotherapy for effective cancer treatment. CyA can specifically activate near-infrared fluorescence, photoacoustic signals, and phototoxicity following APN-induced substrate cleavage and the subsequent generation of active phototheranostic molecules (such as CyBr). CyA endows specific imaging capabilities and effective phototoxicity toward tumor cells overexpressing APN under both normoxia and hypoxia. In addition, the locally activatable PDT induces systemic antitumor immune responses. More importantly, the integration of localized activated PDT and systemic immunotherapy evokes enhanced therapeutic effects with improved tumor inhibition efficiency in live mice compared with individual treatments. This study aims to present an activatable phototheranostic probe for effective hypoxia-tolerant PDT and combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jia Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Minqian Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wei Xing
- Department of Imaging, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213003, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qingqing Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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23
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Chang B, Chen J, Bao J, Sun T, Cheng Z. Molecularly Engineered Room-Temperature Phosphorescence for Biomedical Application: From the Visible toward Second Near-Infrared Window. Chem Rev 2023; 123:13966-14037. [PMID: 37991875 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00401] [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: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorescence, characterized by luminescent lifetimes significantly longer than that of biological autofluorescence under ambient environment, is of great value for biomedical applications. Academic evidence of fluorescence imaging indicates that virtually all imaging metrics (sensitivity, resolution, and penetration depths) are improved when progressing into longer wavelength regions, especially the recently reported second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window. Although the emission wavelength of probes does matter, it is not clear whether the guideline of "the longer the wavelength, the better the imaging effect" is still suitable for developing phosphorescent probes. For tissue-specific bioimaging, long-lived probes, even if they emit visible phosphorescence, enable accurate visualization of large deep tissues. For studies dealing with bioimaging of tiny biological architectures or dynamic physiopathological activities, the prerequisite is rigorous planning of long-wavelength phosphorescence, being aware of the cooperative contribution of long wavelengths and long lifetimes for improving the spatiotemporal resolution, penetration depth, and sensitivity of bioimaging. In this Review, emerging molecular engineering methods of room-temperature phosphorescence are discussed through the lens of photophysical mechanisms. We highlight the roles of phosphorescence with emission from visible to NIR-II windows toward bioapplications. To appreciate such advances, challenges and prospects in rapidly growing studies of room-temperature phosphorescence are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baisong Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Jiasheng Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Taolei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Zhen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong 264000, China
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24
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Zhang J, Ma J, Zhang S, Lou X, Ding Y, Li Y, Xu M, Xie X, Jiao X, Dou X, Wang X, Tang B. Exploration of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF)-Based Photoredox Catalyst To Establish the Mechanisms of Action for Photodynamic Therapy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:23430-23441. [PMID: 38011322 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of action (MoA) have been proposed to further reduce the O2 dependence of photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly. However, the triplet states of traditional photosensitizers are relatively short and also are easily deactivated by the quenching of H2O or O2. This is not conducive for the electron transfer in the photocatalytic process and poses a great obstacle to establish the MoA. Therefore, we selected and synthesized a zirconium(IV) complex (Zr(MesPDPPh)2) reported by Milsmann to address this issue. The specific symmetric and intact geometry endowed Zr(MesPDPPh)2 NPs with long-lived triplet excited state (τ = 350 μs), desired sensitized ability, and improved anti-interfering performance on O2, which was matched with the requirements of photoredox catalyst significantly. The results showed that while PDT (I) and PDT (II) could be achieved simultaneously by leveraging Zr(MesPDPPh)2 NPs, it also could be served as a rare example of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)-based photoredox catalyst to implement the MoA of PDT. It involved the oxidation of NADH and the establishment of catalytic cycle collaborating by O2 and cytochrome c (cyt c) in normoxia and hypoxia, respectively. As a result, the oxygen-free PDT and tumor-growth inhibition was realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jushuai Ma
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuyue Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Lou
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunshu Ding
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaomiao Xu
- School of Geographic and Biologic Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xilei Xie
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Jiao
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueyu Dou
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Tang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, People's Republic of China
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25
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Zhen W, Luo T, Wang Z, Jiang X, Yuan E, Weichselbaum RR, Lin W. Mechanoregulatory Cholesterol Oxidase-Functionalized Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework Stimulates Pyroptosis and Reinvigorates T Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2305440. [PMID: 37635106 PMCID: PMC10840730 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells alter mechanical tension in their cell membranes. New interventions to regulate cell membrane tension present a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Herein, the increase of cell membrane tension by cholesterol oxidase (COD) via cholesterol depletion in vitro and the design of a COD-functionalized nanoscale metal-organic framework, Hf-TBP/COD, for cholesterol depletion and mechanoregulation of tumors in vivo, are reported. COD is found to deplete cholesterol and disrupt the mechanical properties of lipid bilayers, leading to decreased cell proliferation, migration, and tolerance to oxidative stress. Hf-TBP/COD increases mechanical tension of plasma membranes and osmotic fragility of cancer cells, which induces influx of calcium ions, inhibits cell migration, increases rupturing propensity for effective caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis, and decreases tolerance to oxidative stress. In the tumor microenvironment, Hf-TBP/COD downregulates multiple immunosuppressive checkpoints to reinvigorate T cells and enhance T cell infiltration. Compared to Hf-TBP, Hf-TBP/COD improves anti-tumor immune response and tumor growth inhibition from 54.3% and 79.8% to 91.7% and 95% in a subcutaneous triple-negative breast cancer model and a colon cancer model, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyao Zhen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Taokun Luo
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Zitong Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Xiaomin Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Eric Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ralph R Weichselbaum
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Wenbin Lin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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26
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Pratihar S, Bhagavath KK, Govindaraju T. Small molecules and conjugates as theranostic agents. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:826-849. [PMID: 37920393 PMCID: PMC10619134 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00073g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Theranostics, the integration of therapy and diagnostics into a single entity for the purpose of monitoring disease progression and treatment response. Diagnostics involves identifying specific characteristics of a disease, while therapeutics refers to the treatment of the disease based on this identification. Advancements in medicinal chemistry and technology have led to the development of drug modalities that provide targeted therapeutic effects while also providing real-time updates on disease progression and treatment. The inclusion of imaging in therapy has significantly improved the prognosis of devastating diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Currently, theranostic treatment approaches are based on nuclear medicine, while nanomedicine and a wide diversity of macromolecular systems such as gels, polymers, aptamers, and dendrimer-based agents are being developed for the purpose. Theranostic agents have significant roles to play in both early-stage drug development and clinical-stage therapeutic-containing drug candidates. This review will briefly outline the pros and cons of existing and evolving theranostic approaches before comprehensively discussing the role of small molecules and their conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumon Pratihar
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, and School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur P.O. Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Krithi K Bhagavath
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, and School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur P.O. Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Thimmaiah Govindaraju
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, and School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur P.O. Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
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27
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Zhang H, Shi C, Han F, Cai L, Ma H, Long S, Sun W, Du J, Fan J, Chen X, Peng X. Synchronized activating therapeutic nano-agent: Enhancement and tracing for hypoxia-induced chemotherapy. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122365. [PMID: 37890436 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Prodrug is a potential regime to overcome serious adverse events and off-target effects of chemotherapy agents. Among various prodrug activators, hypoxia stands out owing to the generalizability and prominence in tumor micro-environment. However, existing hypoxia activating prodrugs generally face the limitations of stringent structural requirements, the lack of feedback and the singularity of therapeutic modality, which is imputed to the traditional paradigm that recognition groups must be located at the terminus of prodrugs. Herein, a multifunctional nano-prodrug Mal@Cy-NTR-CB has been designed. In this nano-prodrug, a self-destructive tether is introduced to break the mindset, and achieves the activation by hypoxia of chemotherapy based on Chlorambucil (CB), whose efficacy can be augmented and traced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence from Cyanine dyes (Cy). In addition, Maleimide (Mal) carried by the nano-shells can regulate glutathione (GSH) content, preventing 1O2 scavenging, so as to realize PDT sensitization. Experiments demonstrate that Mal@Cy-NTR-CB specifically responds to hypoxic tumors, and achieve synchronous activation, enhancement and feedback of chemotherapy and PDT, inhibiting the tumor growth effectively. This study broadens the design ideas of activatable prodrugs and provides the possibility of multifunctional nano-prodrugs to improve the generalization and prognosis in precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Chao Shi
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, China
| | - Fuping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Lihan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - He Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Saran Long
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jianjun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jiangli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China; State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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Shee M, Zhang D, Banerjee M, Roy S, Pal B, Anoop A, Yuan Y, Singh NDP. Interrogating bioinspired ESIPT/PCET-based Ir(iii)-complexes as organelle-targeted phototherapeutics: a redox-catalysis under hypoxia to evoke synergistic ferroptosis/apoptosis. Chem Sci 2023; 14:9872-9884. [PMID: 37736623 PMCID: PMC10510766 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03096b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Installing proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in Ir-complexes is indeed a newly explored phenomenon, offering high quantum efficiency and tunable photophysics; however, the prospects for its application in various fields, including interrogating biological systems, are quite open and exciting. Herein, we developed various organelle-targeted Ir(iii)-complexes by leveraging the photoinduced PCET process to see the opportunities in phototherapeutic application and investigate the underlying mechanisms of action (MOAs). We diversified the ligands' nature and also incorporated a H-bonded benzimidazole-phenol (BIP) moiety with π-conjugated ancillary ligands in Ir(iii) to study the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process for tuning dual emission bands and to tempt excited-state PCET. These visible or two-photon-NIR light activatable Ir-catalysts generate reactive hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) and simultaneously oxidize electron donating biomolecules (1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or glutathione) to disrupt redox homeostasis, downregulate the GPX4 enzyme, and amplify oxidative stress and lipid peroxide (LPO) accumulation. Our homogeneous photocatalytic platform efficiently triggers organelle dysfunction mediated by a Fenton-like pathway with spatiotemporal control upon illumination to evoke ferroptosis poised with the synergistic action of apoptosis in a hypoxic environment leading to cell death. Ir2 is the most efficient photochemotherapy agent among others, which provided profound cytophototoxicity to 4T1 and MCF-7 cancerous cells and inhibited solid hypoxic tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maniklal Shee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur West Bengal-721302 India
| | - Dan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus Guangzhou 511442 PR China
| | - Moumita Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur West Bengal-721302 India
| | - Samrat Roy
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata Mohanpur West Bengal 741246 India
| | - Bipul Pal
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata Mohanpur West Bengal 741246 India
| | - Anakuthil Anoop
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur West Bengal-721302 India
| | - Youyong Yuan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus Guangzhou 511442 PR China
| | - N D Pradeep Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur West Bengal-721302 India
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Wang B, Huang Y, Yang D, Xu J, Zhong X, Zhao S, Liang H. A S-substituted Nile Blue-derived bifunctional near-infrared fluorescent probe for in vivo carboxylesterase imaging-guided photodynamic therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:7623-7628. [PMID: 37427685 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01213a] [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: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The development of theranostic probes that integrate both diagnostic and therapeutic functions still remains an intractable challenge in precise cancer treatment. Herein, a novel bifunctional near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (CEP1) for carboxylesterase (CE) imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been firstly developed and successfully applied in vitro and in vivo. The probe was constructed by introducing carbamate as both the recognition unit and the fluorescence quenching unit into the fluorophore S-substituted Nile Blue (ENBS) via a self-eliminating spacer with substituted chloride. It can be activated by CE and hydrolyzed into fluorescent ENBS, which recover fluorescence at about 700 nm, and can generate superoxide radical anions under NIR irradiation. Additionally, the probe could effectively distinguish tumor cells from normal cells by CE imaging of live cells. Furthermore, it could achieve CE imaging in vivo and significantly inhibits tumor growth by imaging-guided PDT. Therefore, this study offers a promising and attractive platform for activatable imaging-guided PDT of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Yong Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Dezhi Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
| | - Jiayao Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Xiaohong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Shulin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
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Jiang L, Qi Y, Yang L, Miao Y, Ren W, Liu H, Huang Y, Huang S, Chen S, Shi Y, Cai L. Remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment via siRNA therapy for precision cancer treatment. Asian J Pharm Sci 2023; 18:100852. [PMID: 37920650 PMCID: PMC10618707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
How to effectively transform the pro-oncogenic tumor microenvironments (TME) surrounding a tumor into an anti-tumoral never fails to attract people to study. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is considered one of the most noteworthy research directions that can regulate gene expression following a process known as RNA interference (RNAi). The research about siRNA delivery targeting tumor cells and TME has been on the rise in recent years. Using siRNA drugs to silence critical proteins in TME was one of the most efficient solutions. However, the manufacture of a siRNA delivery system faces three major obstacles, i.e., appropriate cargo protection, accurately targeted delivery, and site-specific cargo release. In the following review, we summarized the pharmacological actions of siRNA drugs in remolding TME. In addition, the delivery strategies of siRNA drugs and combination therapy with siRNA drugs to remodel TME are thoroughly discussed. In the meanwhile, the most recent advancements in the development of all clinically investigated and commercialized siRNA delivery technologies are also presented. Ultimately, we propose that nanoparticle drug delivery siRNA may be the future research focus of oncogene therapy. This summary offers a thorough analysis and roadmap for general readers working in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxi Jiang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yao Qi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Jianyang People's Hospital of Sichuan Province, Jianyang 641400, China
| | - Yangbao Miao
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Weiming Ren
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Shan Huang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Shiyin Chen
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Health Management Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lulu Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
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Xiong Y, Rao Y, Hu J, Luo Z, Chen C. Nanoparticle-Based Photothermal Therapy for Breast Cancer Noninvasive Treatment. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2305140. [PMID: 37561994 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Rapid advancements in materials science and nanotechnology, intertwined with oncology, have positioned photothermal therapy (PTT) as a promising noninvasive treatment strategy for cancer. The breast's superficial anatomical location and aesthetic significance render breast cancer a particularly pertinent candidate for the clinical application of PTT following melanoma. This review comprehensively explores the research conducted on the various types of nanoparticles employed in PTT for breast cancer and elaborates on their specific roles and mechanisms of action. The integration of PTT with existing clinical therapies for breast cancer is scrutinized, underscoring its potential for synergistic outcomes. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying PTT and consequential modifications to the tumor microenvironment after treatment are elaborated from a medical perspective. Future research directions are suggested, with an emphasis on the development of integrative platforms that combine multiple therapeutic approaches and the optimization of nanoparticle synthesis for enhanced treatment efficacy. The goal is to push the boundaries of PTT toward a comprehensive, clinically applicable treatment for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiong
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Yan Rao
- Animal Biosafety Level III Laboratory at the Center for Animal Experiment, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430000, P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Hu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Luo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, P. R. China
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Merabti A, Richeter S, Supuran CT, Clement S, Winum JY. Are tumour-associated carbonic anhydrases genuine therapeutic targets for photodynamic therapy? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:817-826. [PMID: 37668158 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2255380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent treatment modality which has emerged as an alternative cancer therapy strategy. However, in solid tumors, the therapeutic efficacy of PDT is strongly reduced by hypoxia, a typical feature of many such tumors. The tumor-associated carbonic anhydrases IX (hCA IX) and XII (hCA XII), which are overexpressed under hypoxia are attractive, validated anticancer drug targets in solid tumors. Current challenges in therapeutic design of effective PDT systems aim to overcome the limitation of hypoxia by developing synergistic CA-targeted therapies combining photosensitizers and hCA IX/XII inhibitors. AREA COVERED In this review, the current literature on the use of hCA IX/XII inhibitors (CAi) for targeting photosensitizing chemical systems useful for PDT against hypoxic solid tumors is summarized, along with recent progress, challenges, and future prospects. EXPERT OPINION hCA IX/XII-focused photosensitizers have recently provided new generation of compounds of considerable potential. Proof of concept of in vivo efficacy studies suggested enhanced efficacy for CAi-PDT hybrid systems. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of how hCA IX/hCA XII inhibition can enhance PDT and for obtaining more effective such derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Merabti
- IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
- ICGM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
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Mao Z, Rha H, Kim J, You X, Zhang F, Tao W, Kim JS. THQ-Xanthene: An Emerging Strategy to Create Next-Generation NIR-I/II Fluorophores. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301177. [PMID: 37114796 PMCID: PMC10288261 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging is vital for exploring the biological world. The short emissions (<650 nm) and small Stokes shifts (<30 nm) of current xanthene dyes obstruct their biological applications since a long time. Recently, a potent and universal THQ structural modification technique that shifts emission to the NIR-I/II range and enables a substantial Stokes shift (>100 nm) for THQ-modified xanthene dyes is established. Thus, a timely discussion of THQ-xanthene and its applications is extensive. Hence, the advent, working principles, development trajectory, and biological applications of THQ-xanthene dyes, especially in the fields of fluorescence probe-based sensing and imaging, cancer theranostics, and super-resolution imaging, are introduced. It is envisioned that the THQ modification tactic is a simple yet exceptional approach to upgrade the performance of conventional xanthene dyes. THQ-xanthene will advance the strides of xanthene-based potentials in early fluorescent diagnosis of diseases, cancer theranostics, and imaging-guided surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Mao
- College of Health Science and EngineeringCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringHubei UniversityWuhan430062China
- Department of ChemistryKorea UniversitySeoul02841South Korea
| | - Hyeonji Rha
- Department of ChemistryKorea UniversitySeoul02841South Korea
| | - Jungryun Kim
- Department of ChemistryKorea UniversitySeoul02841South Korea
| | - Xinru You
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of AnesthesiologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02115USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- College of Health Science and EngineeringCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringHubei UniversityWuhan430062China
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of AnesthesiologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02115USA
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of ChemistryKorea UniversitySeoul02841South Korea
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34
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Xu Y, Yoon C, Kim JS. NIR-II thiopyrylium dyads guided photodynamic inactivation of Coronavirus. Sci China Chem 2023; 66:1-2. [PMID: 37360942 PMCID: PMC10188317 DOI: 10.1007/s11426-023-1553-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841 Korea
| | - Changyu Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841 Korea
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841 Korea
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35
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Xu Y, Kim JS, Li M. Illuminating anti-ageing. Nat Chem 2023; 15:451-452. [PMID: 36973435 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01164-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mingle Li
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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36
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Tam LKB, Chu JCH, He L, Yang C, Han KC, Cheung PCK, Ng DKP, Lo PC. Enzyme-Responsive Double-Locked Photodynamic Molecular Beacon for Targeted Photodynamic Anticancer Therapy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:7361-7375. [PMID: 36961946 PMCID: PMC10080691 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
An advanced photodynamic molecular beacon (PMB) was designed and synthesized, in which a distyryl boron dipyrromethene (DSBDP)-based photosensitizer and a Black Hole Quencher 3 moiety were connected via two peptide segments containing the sequences PLGVR and GFLG, respectively, of a cyclic peptide. These two short peptide sequences are well-known substrates of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and cathepsin B, respectively, both of which are overexpressed in a wide range of cancer cells either extracellularly (for MMP-2) or intracellularly (for cathepsin B). Owing to the efficient Förster resonance energy transfer between the two components, this PMB was fully quenched in the native form. Only upon interaction with both MMP-2 and cathepsin B, either in a buffer solution or in cancer cells, both of the segments were cleaved specifically, and the two components could be completely separated, thereby restoring the photodynamic activities of the DSBDP moiety. This PMB could also be activated in tumors, and it effectively suppressed the tumor growth in A549 tumor-bearing nude mice upon laser irradiation without causing notable side effects. In particular, it did not cause skin photosensitivity, which is a very common side effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using conventional "always-on" photosensitizers. The overall results showed that this "double-locked" PMB functioned as a biological AND logic gate that could only be unlocked by the coexistence of two tumor-associated enzymes, which could greatly enhance the tumor specificity in PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo K B Tam
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Jacky C H Chu
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin He
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Caixia Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Kam-Chu Han
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peter Chi Keung Cheung
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Dennis K P Ng
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Pui-Chi Lo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Li M, Kim J, Rha H, Son S, Levine MS, Xu Y, Sessler JL, Kim JS. Photon-Controlled Pyroptosis Activation (PhotoPyro): An Emerging Trigger for Antitumor Immune Response. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:6007-6023. [PMID: 36881923 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Pyroptosis refers to the process of gasdermin-mediated lytic programmed cell death (PCD) characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our knowledge of pyroptosis has expanded beyond the cellular level and now includes extracellular responses. In recent years, pyroptosis has attracted considerable attention due to its potential to induce host immunity. For instance, at the 2022 International Medicinal Chemistry of Natural Active Ligand Metal-Based Drugs (MCNALMD) conference, numerous researchers demonstrated an interest in photon-controlled pyroptosis activation ("PhotoPyro"), an emerging pyroptosis-engineered approach for activating systemic immunity via photoirradiation. Given this enthusiasm, we share in this Perspective our views on this emerging area and expound on how and why "PhotoPyro" could trigger antitumor immunity (i.e., turning so-called "cold" tumors "hot"). In doing so, we have tried to highlight cutting-edge breakthroughs in PhotoPyro while suggesting areas for future contributions. By providing insights into the current state of the art and serving as a resource for individuals interested in working in this area, it is hoped that this Perspective will set the stage for PhotoPyro to evolve into a broadly applicable cancer treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingle Li
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jungryun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Hyeonji Rha
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Subin Son
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Matthew S Levine
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yunjie Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jonathan L Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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Chen W, Zhang Y, Yi HB, Wang F, Chu X, Jiang JH. Type Ι Photosensitizer Targeting G-Quadruplex RNA Elicits Augmented Immunity for Cancer Ablation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202300162. [PMID: 36856160 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202300162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Type Ι photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a promising treatment modality for tumors with intrinsic hypoxia. However, type Ι photosensitizers (PSs), especially ones with near infrared (NIR) absorption, are limited and their efficacy needs improvement via new targeting tactics. We develop a NIR type Ι PS by engineering acridinium derived donor-π-acceptor systems. The PS exhibits an exclusive type Ι PDT mechanism due to effective intersystem crossing and disfavored energy transfer to O2 , and shows selective binding to G-quadruplexes (G4s) via hydrogen bonds identified by a molecular docking study. Moreover, it enables fluorogenic detection of G4s and efficient O2 ⋅- production in hypoxic conditions, leading to immunogenic cell death and substantial variations of gene expression in RNA sequencing. Our strategy demonstrates augmented antitumor immunity for effective ablation of immunogenic cold tumor, highlighting its potential of RNA-targeted type Ι PDT in precision cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Bo Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Fenglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Xia Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
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Teng KX, Niu LY, Yang QZ. Supramolecular Photosensitizer Enables Oxygen-Independent Generation of Hydroxyl Radicals for Photodynamic Therapy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4081-4087. [PMID: 36779824 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
The highly oxygen-dependent nature of photodynamic therapy (PDT) limits its therapeutic efficacy against hypoxic solid tumors in clinics, which is an urgent problem to be solved. Herein, we develop an oxygen-independent supramolecular photodynamic agent that produces hydroxyl radical (•OH) by oxidizing water in the presence of intracellularly abundant pyruvic acid under oxygen-free conditions. A fluorene-substituted BODIPY was designed as the electron donor and coassembled with perylene diimide as the electron acceptor to form the quadruple hydrogen-bonded supramolecular photodynamic agent. Detailed mechanism studies reveal that intermolecular electron transfer and charge separation upon light irradiation result in an efficient generation of radical ion pairs. Under oxygen-free conditions, the cationic radicals directly oxidize water to generate highly cytotoxic •OH, and the anionic radicals transfer electrons to pyruvic acid, realizing the catalytic cycle. Thus, this photodynamic agent exhibited superb photocytotoxicity even under severe hypoxic environments and excellent in vivo antitumor efficacy on HeLa-bearing mouse models. This work provides a strategy for constructing oxygen-independent photodynamic agents, which opens up an avenue for effective PDT against hypoxic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Xu Teng
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Li-Ya Niu
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Zheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
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Yao D, Wang Y, Bian K, Zhang B, Wang D. A self-cascaded unimolecular prodrug for pH-responsive chemotherapy and tumor-detained photodynamic-immunotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer. Biomaterials 2023; 292:121920. [PMID: 36442436 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the success of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in cancer management, ICB-based immunotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) still suffers from immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM). To break through the bottleneck of TNBC immunotherapy, a self-cascaded unimolecular prodrug consisting of an acidic pH-activatable doxorubicin and an aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) photosensitizer coupled to a caspase-3-responsive peptide was engineered. The generated prodrug, could not only release doxorubicin initiatively in acidic tumor microenvironment, but also activate apoptosis-related caspase-3. The activated caspase-3 could in turn trigger release and in situ aggregation of photosensitizers. Importantly, the unimolecular prodrug exhibits a renal clearance pathway similar to small molecules in vivo, while the aggregated AIEgens prolong tumor retention for long-term fluorescence imaging and repeatable photodynamic therapy (PDT) by only one single-dose injection. Furthermore, the tumor-detained PDT boosts both immunogenic cell death of TNBC cells and maturation of dendritic cells. Finally, the combination of repeatable PDT with ICB therapy further promotes the proliferation and intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and effectively suppresses tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis. This prodrug is a proof-of-concept that confirms the first self-cascaded chemo-PDT strategy to reverse the ITM and boost the ICB-mediated TNBC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defan Yao
- Department of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanshu Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Kexin Bian
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Bingbo Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.
| | - Dengbin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
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