Facile fabrication of a near-infrared responsive nanocarrier for spatiotemporally controlled chemo-photothermal synergistic cancer therapy

Novel Multifunctional Stimuli-Responsive Nanoparticles for Synergetic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Tumors

In this study, a novel class of multifunctional responsive nanoparticles is designed and fabricated as drug nanocarriers for synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy of tumors. The proposed nanoparticles are composed of a thermo-/pH-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNA) nanogel core, a polydopamine (PDA) layer for photothermal conversion, and an outer folic acid (FA) layer as a targeting agent for the folate receptors on tumor cells. The fabricated nanoparticles show good biocompatibility and outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency. The proposed nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) drug molecules are stable under physiological conditions with low leakage of drugs, while rapidly release drugs in environments with low pH conditions and at high temperature. The experimental results show that the drug release process is mainly governed by Fickian diffusion. In vitro cell experimental results demonstrate that the PNA-DOX@PDA-FA nanoparticles can be phagocytized by 4T1 tumor cells and release drugs in tumor cell acidic environments, and confirm that the combined chemo and photothermal therapeutic efficacy of PNA-DOX@PDA-FA nanoparticles is higher than the photothermal therapeutic efficacy or the chemotherapeutic efficacy alone. The proposed multifunctional responsive nanoparticles in this study provide a novel class of drug nanocarriers as a promising tool for synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy of tumors.

Enhanced Photothermal Therapy through the In Situ Activation of a Temperature and Redox Dual-Sensitive Nanoreservoir of Triptolide

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted tremendous attention due to its noninvasiveness and localized treatment advantages. However, heat shock proteins (HSPs) associated self-preservation mechanisms bestow cancer cells thermoresistance to protect them from the damage of PTT. To minimize the thermoresistance of cancer cells and improve the efficacy of PTT, an integrated on-demand nanoplatform composed of a photothermal conversion core (gold nanorod, GNR), a cargo of a HSPs inhibitor (triptolide, TPL), a mesoporous silica based nanoreservoir, and a photothermal and redox di-responsive polymer shell is developed. The nanoplatform can be enriched in the tumor site, and internalized into cancer cells, releasing the encapsulated TPL under the trigger of intracellular elevated glutathione and near-infrared laser irradiation. Ultimately, the liberated TPL could diminish thermoresistance of cancer cells by antagonizing the PTT induced heat shock response via multiple mechanisms to maximize the PTT effect for cancer treatment.

When polymers meet carbon nanostructures: expanding horizons in cancer therapy

The development of hybrid materials, which combine inorganic with organic materials, is receiving increasing attention by researchers. As a consequence of carbon nanostructures high chemical versatility, they exhibit enormous potential for new highly engineered multifunctional nanotherapeutic agents for cancer therapy. Whereas many groups are working on drug delivery systems for chemotherapy, the use of carbon nanohybrids for radiotherapy is rarely applied. Thus, nanotechnology offers a wide range of solutions to overcome the current obstacles of conventional chemo- and/or radiotherapies. Within this review, the structure and properties of carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes, nanographene oxide) functionalized preferentially with different types of polymers (synthetic, natural) are discussed. In short, synthesis approaches, toxicity investigations and anticancer efficacy of different carbon nanohybrids are described.

Anisotropic mesoporous silica/microgel core–shell responsive particles

Hybrid anisotropic microgels were synthesised using mesoporous silica as core particles. By finely controlling the synthesis conditions, the latter can be obtained with different shapes such as platelets, primary particles or rods. Using the core particles as seeds for precipitation polymerisation, a crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgel shell could be grown at the surface, conferring additional thermo-responsive properties. The different particles were characterised using scattering and imaging techniques. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was employed to identify the shape and porous organisation of the core particles and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to determine the swelling behaviour of the hybrid microgels. In addition, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) imaging of the hybrids confirms the different morphologies as well as the presence of the microgel network and the core–shell conformation. Finally, the response of the particles to an alternating electric field is demonstrated for hybrid rod-shaped microgels in situ using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).

Hybrid anisotropic microgels with different morphologies were prepared using mesoporous silica particles as core and PNIPAM as shell. The shell thickness d and aspect ratio ρ were characterised notably via cryo-TEM (left) and DLS (right).

Spatiotemporally Controlled Multiplexed Photothermal Microfluidic Pumping under Monitoring of On-Chip Thermal Imaging

Intelligent contactless microfluidic pumping strategies have been increasingly desirable for operation of lab-on-a-chip devices. Herein, we present a photothermal microfluidic pumping strategy for on-chip multiplexed cargo transport in a contactless and spatiotemporally controllable fashion based on the application of near-infrared laser-driven photothermal effect in microfluidic paper-based devices (μPDs). Graphene oxide (GO)-doped thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-acrylamide hydrogels served as the photothermally responsive cargo reservoirs on the μPDs. In response to remote contactless irradiation by an 808 nm laser, on-chip phase transition of the composite hydrogels was actuated in a switchlike manner as a result of the photothermal effect of GO, enabling robust on-chip pumping of cargoes from the hydrogels to predefined arrays of reaction zones. The thermal imaging technique was employed to monitor the on-chip photothermal pumping process. The microfluidic pumping performance can be spatiotemporally controlled in a quantitative way by remotely tuning the laser power, irradiation time, and GO concentration. The pumping strategy was exemplified by FeCl₃ and horseradish peroxidase as the model cargoes to implement on-chip Prussian blue- and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine-based colorimetric reactions, respectively. Furthermore, multiplexed on-demand microfluidic pumping was achieved by flexibly adjusting the irradiation pathway and the microfluidic pattern. The new microfluidic pumping strategy shows great promise for diverse microfluidic applications due to its flexibility, high integratability into lab-on-a-chip devices, and contactless and spatiotemporal controllability.

Multifunctional nanocarriers based on graphitic-C3N4 quantum dots for tumor-targeted, traceable and pH-responsive drug delivery

A multifunctional nanocarrier is developed for simultaneous targeted delivery, efficient tracking and cancer treatment at the cellular level.

Surface modification of graphene oxide with stimuli-responsive polymer brush containing β-cyclodextrin as a pendant group: Preparation, characterization, and evaluation as controlled drug delivery agent

In this work, stimuli-responsive graphene oxide/polymer brush nanocomposites (GPBNs) prepared through the polymerization of acrylic acid (AA), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and acrylated β-cyclodextrin (Ac-β-CD) from the graphene oxide (GO) surface. The attachment of polymers on the GO surface was approved using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphological change on the GO surface after polymer grafting. Transition electron microscopy (TEM) showed that polymeric brushes were decorated on the GO surface. The growth of polymer brushes on the GO was further confirmed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Both hydrophilic (doxorubicin, DOX) and hydrophobic (Methotrexate MTX) drugs were co-loaded in the prepared graphene Oxide/Polyacrylated β-cyclodextrin/polyacrylic acid/poly N-isopropylacrylamide brush nanocomposite (GCANBN). Drug releases from GCANBN were studied using UV-vis. MTT assay was used for the evaluation of in-vitro cytotoxicity of GCANBN. The prepared system showed its efficacy as a nanocarrier for both types of drugs.

Novel catalytic micromotor of porous zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 for precise drug delivery

Micromotors hold promise as drug carriers for targeted drug delivery owing to the characteristics of self-propulsion and directional navigation. However, several defects still exist, including high cost, short movement life, low drug loading and slow release rate. Herein, a novel catalytic micromotor based on porous zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) synthesized by a greatly simplified wet chemical method assisted with ultrasonication is described as an efficient anticancer drug carrier. These porous micromotors display effective autonomous motion in hydrogen peroxide and long durable movement life of up to 90 min. Moreover, the multifunctional micromotor ZIF-67/Fe3O4/DOX exhibits excellent performance in precise drug delivery under external magnetic field with high drug loading capacity of fluorescent anticancer drug DOX up to 682 μg mg-1 owing to its porous nature, high surface area and rapid drug release based on dual stimulus of catalytic reaction and solvent effects. Therefore, these porous ZIF-67-based catalytic micromotors combine the domains of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and micomotors, thus developing potential resources for micromotors and holding great potential as label-free and precisely controlled high-quality candidates of drug delivery systems for biomedical applications.

NIR Light-, Temperature-, pH-, and Redox-Responsive Polymer-Modified Reduced Graphene Oxide/Mesoporous Silica Sandwich-Like Nanocomposites for Controlled Release

Here a novel quadruple-responsive nanocarrier based on reduced graphene oxide/mesoporous silica sandwich-like nanocomposites (rGO@MS) modified by pH- and temperature-responsive poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) with a linker of disulfide was constructed via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The polymer chains would be used as gatekeepers to control the release of the loaded cargo molecules under pH, temperature, NIR light and redox stimuli. The cargo molecules (rhodamine B) were demonstrated to release from the polymer-modified nanocomposites triggered by the quadruple-stimuli. It is noted that the release of the loaded rhodamine B from the nanocarriers could be enhanced greatly under the synergistic effect of multiple stimuli. The prepared quadruple-responsive polymer-modified nanocomposites show a bright prospect in the field of smart nanocarriers for controlled release.

Polymeric micelles with dual thermal and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsiveness for inflammatory cancer cell delivery

Background

The object of this study was to develop a thermally and reactive oxygen species-responsive nanocarrier system for cancer therapy.

Results

PPS-PNIPAm block copolymer was designed and synthesised using a combination of living anionic ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization. The synthesized polymer formed micellar aggregates in water and demonstrated dual responsiveness towards temperature and oxidants. Using doxorubicin (DOX) as a model drug, encapsulation and in vitro release of the drug molecules in PPS-PNIPAm nanocarriers confirmed the responsive release properties of such system. Cell uptake of the DOX loaded micelles was investigated with human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The results showed Dox-loaded micelles were able to be taken by the cells and mainly reside in the cytoplasma. In the stimulated cells with an elevated level of ROS, more released DOX was observed around the nuclei. In the cytotoxicity experiments, the Dox-loaded micelles demonstrated comparable efficacy to free DOX at higher concentrations, especially on ROS stimulated cells.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that PPS-PNIPAm nanocarriers possess the capability to respond two typical stimuli in inflammatory cells: temperature and oxidants and can be used in anticancer drug delivery.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12951-017-0275-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Progress in Nanotheranostics Based on Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterial Platforms

Theranostics based on nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising paradigm in nanomedicine. Mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based systems offer unique characteristics to enable multimodal imaging or simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. They include large surface area and volume, tunable pore size, functionalizable surface, and acceptable biological safety. Hybridization with other NPs and chemical modification can further potentiate the multifunctionality of MSN-based systems toward translation. Here, we update the recent progress on MSN-based systems for theranostic purposes. We discuss various synthetic approaches used to construct the theranostic platforms either via intrinsic chemistry or extrinsic combination. These include defect generation in the silica structure, encapsulation of diagnostic NPs within silica, their assembly on the silica surface, and direct conjugation of dye chemicals. Collectively, in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that multimodal imaging capacities can be integrated with the therapeutic functions of these MSN systems for therapy. With further improvement in bioimaging sensitivity and targeting specificity, the multifunctional MSN-based theranostic systems will find many clinical applications in the near future.

Near infrared laser-controlled drug release of thermoresponsive microgel encapsulated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles

One major issue in thermosensitive drug delivery systems is the remote, repeatable control of temperature in vivo through external stimuli such as light, ultrasound, and magnetic field.

Integration of polymers in the pore space of mesoporous nanocarriers for drug delivery

The construction of carrier-polymer–drug hybrids in confined nanopore space is reviewed for advancing related drug delivery systems.

Upper Critical Solution Temperature Polymer, Photothermal Agent, and Erythrocyte Membrane Coating: An Unexplored Recipe for Making Drug Carriers with Spatiotemporally Controlled Cargo Release

"On-demand" drug release within target site is critical for targeted drug delivery systems. We herein integrate the advantages of upper critical solution temperature (UCST) polymers, photothermal agent, and red blood cell (RBC) membrane coating into a single drug delivery nanosystem and, for the first time, achieve remotely controlled UCST polymer-based drug delivery system that undergoes "on-demand" drug release within specified zone. When in laser-off state, the resulting nanosystem demonstrates significantly diminished drug self-leakage, owing to shielding by the RBC membrane coating. Upon laser irradiation, this system undergoes responsive drug release, likely because of particle swelling due to its UCST polymer component's hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic transition triggered by the rapid localized heating generated by its preloaded photothermal agent via photothermal effects. As a result, this drug delivery system exhibits spatiotemporally controlled cytotoxicity to cultured cells, efficiently eradicating irradiated cancerous cells without appreciably impacting nonirradiated ones, those ∼0.7 cm away from the irradiation zone. This work may open an avenue to thermosensitive drug delivery systems potentially "ideal" for intravenous administration and inspire future efforts on biomedical applications of UCST polymers.

Functionalized graphene nanocomposites for enhancing photothermal therapy in tumor treatment

Graphene and its derivatives have unique physical and chemical properties that make them promising vehicles for photothermal therapy (PTT)-based cancer treatment. With intrinsic near-infrared (NIR) absorption properties, graphene-based nanomaterials can be used for PTT and other therapeutics, particularly in combination therapy, to provide successful thermal ablation of cancer cells. In the recent years, advances in graphene-based PTT have produced efficient and efficacious tumor inhibition via nanomaterial structural design and different functionalizations of graphene-derived nanocomposites. Graphene-based nanosystems exhibit multifunctional properties that are useful for PTT applications including enhancement of multimodalities, guided imaging, enhanced chemotherapy and low-power efficient PTT for optimum therapeutic efficiency. Therefore, in this review, we address critical issues and future aspects of PTT-based combination therapy.

Photoinduced Mild Hyperthermia and Synergistic Chemotherapy by One-Pot-Synthesized Docetaxel-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/Polypyrrole Nanocomposites

Mild hyperthermia has shown great advantages when combined with chemotherapy. The development of a multifunctional platform for the integration of mild hyperthermia capability into a drug-loading system is a key issue for cancer multimodality treatment application. Herein, a facile one-pot in situ fabrication protocol of docetaxel (DTX)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites was developed. While the PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) allow efficient drug loading, the PPy nanobulges embedded within the surface of the PLGA NPs, formed by in situ pyrrole polymerization without the introduction of other template agents, can act as ideal mediators for photoinduced mild hyperthermia. Physiochemical characterizations of the as-prepared nanocomposites, including structure, morphology, photothermal effects, and an in vitro drug release profile, were systematically investigated. Further, 2-deoxyglucose-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was anchored onto the surface of the nanocomposites to endow the nanoplatform with targeting ability to tumor cells, which resulted in a 17-fold increase of NP internalization within human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) as competed with PEG-modified nanocomposites. Mild hyperthermia can be successfully mediated by the nanoplatform, and the temperature can be conveniently controlled by careful modulation of the PPy contents within the nanocomposites or the laser power density. Importantly, we have demonstrated that MCF-7 cells, which are markedly resistant to heat treatment of traditional water-bath hyperthermia, became sensitive to the PLGA/PPy nanocomposite-mediated photothermal therapy under the same mild-temperature hyperthermia. Moreover, DTX-loaded PLGA/PPy-nanocomposite-induced mild hyperthermia can strongly enhance drug cytotoxicity to MCF-7 cells. Under the same thermal dose, photoinduced hyperthermia can convert the interaction between hyperthermia and drug treatment from interference to synergism. This is the first report on the one-pot synthesis of PLGA/PPy nanocomposites by in situ pyrrole polymerization, and such a multifunctional nanoplatform is demonstrated as a high-potential agent for photoinduced mild hyperthermia and enhanced chemotherapy.

Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Breast Cancer by Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Encapsulated Yolk-Shell GNR@HPMO-PTX Nanospheres

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted increasing attention as vehicles for cancer treatment. Herein, MSC-based synergistic oncotherapy strategy is presented for the first time. To achieve this goal, yolk-shell structured gold nanorod embedded hollow periodic mesoporous organosilica nanospheres (GNR@HPMOs) with high paclitaxel (PTX) loading capability and excellent photothermal transfer ability upon near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation are first prepared. Cytotoxicity and migration assays show that the viability and tumor-homing capability of MSCs are well-retained after internalization of high content of PTX loaded GNR@HPMOs (denoted as GNR@HPMOs-PTX). In vitro experiments show the GNR@HPMOs-PTX loaded MSCs (GNR@HPMOs-PTX@MSCs) possess synergistic chemo-photothermal killing effects for breast cancer cells. Also, photoacoustic imaging shows that the MSCs can improve dispersion and distribution in tumor tissue for GNR@HPMOs-PTX after intratumoral injection. In vivo experiments in breast cancer model of nude mice further demonstrate that the GNR@HPMOs-PTX@MSCs significantly inhibit tumor growth, suggesting their great potential for synergistic therapy of cancer.

Light responsive hybrid nanofibres for on-demand therapeutic drug and cell delivery

Smart materials for on-demand delivery of therapeutically active agents are challenging in pharmaceutical and biomaterials science. In the present study, we report hybrid nanofibres capable of being reversibly controlled to pulsatile deliver both therapeutic drugs and cells on-demand of near-infrared (NIR) light. The nanofibres, fabricated by co-electrospinning of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), silica-coated gold nanorods and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquinoxanes have, for the first time, demonstrated rapid, reversible large-volume changes of 83% on-demand with NIR stimulation, with retained nanofibrous morphology. Combining with the extracellular matrix-mimicking fibrillary properties, the nanofibres achieved accelerated release of model drug or cells on demand with NIR triggering. The release of the model drug doxorubicin demonstrated normal anti-cancer efficacy by reducing the viability of human cervical cancer HeLa cells by 97% in 48 h. In parallel, the fibres allowed model cell NIH3T3 fibroblast entrapment, adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and, upon NIR irradiation, cell release with undisturbed cellular function. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis, toxicity, biocompatibility, and biomedical applications of graphene and graphene-related materials

Graphene is a two-dimensional atomic crystal, and since its development it has been applied in many novel ways in both research and industry. Graphene possesses unique properties, and it has been used in many applications including sensors, batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, transistors, components of high-strength machinery, and display screens in mobile devices. In the past decade, the biomedical applications of graphene have attracted much interest. Graphene has been reported to have antibacterial, antiplatelet, and anticancer activities. Several salient features of graphene make it a potential candidate for biological and biomedical applications. The synthesis, toxicity, biocompatibility, and biomedical applications of graphene are fundamental issues that require thorough investigation in any kind of applications related to human welfare. Therefore, this review addresses the various methods available for the synthesis of graphene, with special reference to biological synthesis, and highlights the biological applications of graphene with a focus on cancer therapy, drug delivery, bio-imaging, and tissue engineering, together with a brief discussion of the challenges and future perspectives of graphene. We hope to provide a comprehensive review of the latest progress in research on graphene, from synthesis to applications.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of sandwich-like mesoporous silica nanoflakes as promising anticancer drug delivery system

We present the new promising nanostructure- sandwich-like mesoporous silica nanoflakes synthesized on graphene oxide sheets core. In the first step biocompatibility of the nanoflakes with PEG and without functionalization in human fibroblast, melanoma and breast cancer cells was assessed. In order to define the cellular uptake in vitro and biodistribution in vivo the nanostructures were labelled with fluorescent dye. In the next step, the silica nanostructures were filled by the anticancer drug- methotrexate (MTX) and cytotoxicity of the complex in reference to MTX was evaluated. The WST-1 assay shows mild, but concentration dependent, cytotoxicity of the nanoflakes, most significant for the non-functionalized structures. PEG-modified silica nanoflakes didn't produce a disruption of cell membranes and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Cell imaging revealed efficient internalization of the silica nanoflakes in cells. Ex vivo organ imaging showed high accumulation of the nanostructures in lungs, bladder and gall bladder, whereas confocal imaging revealed wide nanoflake distribution in all tested tissues, especially at 1h and 4h post intravenous injection. Cytotoxicity of the nanoflake-MTX complex in reference to MTX showed similar cytotoxic potential against cancer cells. These findings may provide useful information for designing drug delivery systems, which may improve anticancer efficacy and decrease side effects.

Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheet for Chemo-photothermal Therapy

The protein-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheet is of great interest in stimuli-responsive drug delivery and controlled release applications. We developed doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA)-functionalized rGO (DOX-BSA-rGO) nanosheets. To investigate the reduction of BSA-functionalized GO nanosheets and drug loading efficiency, we used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis. DOX-BSA-rGO nanosheets exhibited dose-dependent cellular uptake without any cytotoxic effect. We also demonstrated near-infrared (NIR)-induced chemo-photothermal therapy of brain tumor cells treated with DOX-BSA-rGO nanosheets. Therefore, this DOX-BSA-rGO nanosheet could be a powerful tool for chemo-photothermal therapy applications.

Multifunctional Nanocarpets for Cancer Theranostics: Remotely Controlled Graphene Nanoheaters for Thermo-Chemosensitisation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A new paradigm in cancer theranostics is enabled by safe multifunctional nanoplatform that can be applied for therapeutic functions together with imaging capabilities. Herein, we develop a multifunctional nanocomposite consisting of Graphene Oxide-Iron Oxide -Doxorubicin (GO-IO-DOX) as a theranostic cancer platform. The smart magnetic nanoplatform acts both as a hyperthermic agent that delivers heat when an alternating magnetic field is applied and a chemotherapeutic agent in a cancer environment by providing a pH-dependent drug release to administer a synergistic anticancer treatment with an enhanced T2 contrast for MRI. The novel GO-IO-DOX nanocomposites were tested in vitro and were observed to exhibit an enhanced tumoricidal effect through both hyperthermia and cancer cell-specific DOX release along with an excellent MRI performance, enabling a versatile theranostic platform for cancer. Moreover the localized antitumor effects of GO-IO-DOX increased substantially as a result of the drug sensitization through repeated application of hyperthermia.

NIR-Laser-Switched In Vivo Smart Nanocapsules for Synergic Photothermal and Chemotherapy of Tumors

In vivo MEO2 MA@MEO2 MA-co-OEGMA-CuS-DOX (G-CuS-DOX) nanocapsules increase the temperature of tumors from room temperature to 57 °C due to the photothermal effect under irradiation from a 915-nm laser. When the temperature exceeds 42 °C, photothermal therapy of G-CuS-DOX is switched on. Simultaneously, higher temperatures (>LCST, 42 °C) induce volume shrinkage of G-CuS-DOX in vivo, leading to the controllable release of the anticancer drug DOX. If the NIR laser is switched off, both therapy effects are interrupted immediately.

The effect of incubation conditions on the hemolytic properties of unmodified graphene oxide with various concentrations

The hemolytic properties of graphene oxide (GO) were evaluated from the novel view of the incubation conditions.

Near-IR responsive nanostructures for nanobiophotonics: emerging impacts on nanomedicine

Nanobiophotonics is an emerging field at the intersection of nanoscience, photonics, and biotechnology. Harnessing interactions of light with nanostructures enables new types of bioimaging, sensing, and light-activated therapy which can make a major impact on nanomedicine. Low penetration through tissue limits the use of visible light in nanomedicine. Near infrared (NIR) light (~780-1100 nm) can penetrate significantly further, enabling free-space delivery into deep tissues. This review focuses on interactions of NIR light with nanostructures to produce three effects: direct photoactivation, photothermal effects, and photochemical effects. Applications of direct photoactivation include bioimaging and biosensing using NIR-emitting quantum dots, materials with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the NIR, and upconverting nanoparticles. Two key nanomedicine applications using photothermal effects are photothermal therapy (PTT), and photoacoustic (PA) imaging. For photochemical effects, we present the latest advances in in-situ upconversion and upconverting nanostructures for NIR activation of photodynamic therapy (PDT).

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

Nanobiophotonics is a relatively new field applying light for the interactions with nanostructures, which can be used in bioimaging, sensing, and therapy. As near infrared (NIR) light (~780-1100 nm) can have better tissue penetration, its clinical potential is far greater. In this review, the authors discussed the latest research on the applications of NIR light in imaging and therapeutics.

Robust two-photon visualized nanocarrier with dual targeting ability for controlled chemo-photodynamic synergistic treatment of cancer

In consideration of the intrinsic complexity of cancer, just being a delivery nanovehicle for the nanocarrier is no longer enough to fulfill requirements of dealing with cancer. In this regard, the multifunctional nanocarrier appears to be an appealing choice in cancer treatment. Herein, the novel multifunctional nanocarrier (Fe3O4-NS-C3N4@mSiO2-PEG-RGD) possessing properties of dual targeting (the peptide- and magnetism-mediated targeting), imaging (one- and two-photon modes), pH-triggered release of loaded anticancer drug, and synergistic treatment (photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with chemotherapy) are successfully developed. The nanocarrier specifically centralizes within cancer cells with the enhanced amount through the dual targeting ability and is facilely tracked under one- and two-photon imaging modes attributed to the autofluorescence. Then, visible light irradiation-induced PDT combined with low pH-triggered chemotherapy synergistically cooperate to efficiently kill cancer cells. Following the above process, the multifunctional nanocarrier demonstrates effective inhibition of the growth of A549 and HeLa cancer cells. The efficient manipulation of Fe3O4-NS-C3N4@mSiO2-PEG-RGD also implies potential applications of the multifunctional nanocarrier in delivery of different agents. Furthermore, it might also broaden the scope of fabrication of the multifunctional nanocarrier for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Near-infrared light remote-controlled intracellular anti-cancer drug delivery using thermo/pH sensitive nanovehicle

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems have been developed to enhance the tumor-targeting drug transportation and minimize the severe side effects along with the chemotherapy. In this study, a near-infrared (NIR) light triggered drug delivery system was developed based on the amphiphilic chitosan derivative-coated single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNT) encapsulated in the thermo/pH sensitive nanogel (CS/PNIPAAm@CNT). The PEG diacrylate (Mw = 250 Da) was applied in the present work to tune the nanoparticles with the phase transition temperature at ∼ 38 °C, which was an attempt to match the prerequisite for the in vivo applications. Owing to the π-π stacking, hydrophobic interaction and the opportunity of Schiff-base formation between chitosan and doxorubicin (DOX), the nanoparticles possessed a relative high drug loading capacity (∼ 43%). The DOX loaded CS/PNIPAAm@CNT released DOX faster at 40 °C than at 25 °C, meanwhile faster at pH 5.0 in comparison with that at pH 7.4. Moreover, the rapid and repetitive release of DOX was observed when the DOX-loaded CS/PNIPAAm@CNT was irradiated under NIR light. Furthermore, DOX-loaded CS/PNIPAAm@CNT upon NIR irradiation showed significantly greater cytotoxicity in HeLa cells owing to NIR-triggered increase in temperature and enhanced DOX release. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was utilized to demonstrate the enhanced cell uptake of the as prepared nanoparticles and the faster drug release under the NIR irradiation and lower pH. All the results suggest that multifunctional DOX-loaded CS/PNIPAAm@CNT nanocomposite is a promising therapeutic nanocarrier for intracellular drug delivery with great potential for targeted cancer therapy.

Graphene as cancer theranostic tool: progress and future challenges

Nowadays cancer remains one of the main causes of death in the world. Current diagnostic techniques need to be improved to provide earlier diagnosis and treatment. Traditional therapy approaches to cancer are limited by lack of specificity and systemic toxicity. In this scenario nanomaterials could be good allies to give more specific cancer treatment effectively reducing undesired side effects and giving at the same time accurate diagnosis and successful therapy. In this context, thanks to its unique physical and chemical properties, graphene, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene (rGO) have recently attracted tremendous interest in biomedicine including cancer therapy.

Herein we analyzed all studies presented in literature related to cancer fight using graphene and graphene-based conjugates. In this context, we aimed at the full picture of the state of the art providing new inputs for future strategies in the cancer theranostic by using of graphene.

We found an impressive increasing interest in the material for cancer therapy and/or diagnosis. The majority of the works (73%) have been carried out on drug and gene delivery applications, following by photothermal therapy (32%), imaging (31%) and photodynamic therapy (10%). A 27% of the studies focused on theranostic applications. Part of the works here discussed contribute to the growth of the theranostic field covering the use of imaging (i.e. ultrasonography, positron electron tomography, and fluorescent imaging) combined to one or more therapeutic modalities. We found that the use of graphene in cancer theranostics is still in an early but rapidly growing stage of investigation. Any technology based on nanomaterials can significantly enhance their possibility to became the real revolution in medicine if combines diagnosis and therapy at the same time. We performed a comprehensive summary of the latest progress of graphene cancer fight and highlighted the future challenges and the innovative possible theranostic applications.

Programmable nanomedicine: synergistic and sequential drug delivery systems

Recent developments in nanomedicine for the cancer therapy have enabled programmable delivery of therapeutics by exploiting the stimuli-responsive properties of nanocarriers. These therapeutic systems were designed with the relevant chemical and physical properties that respond to different triggers for enhanced anticancer efficacy, including the reduced development of drug-resistance, lower therapeutic dose, site-specific transport, and spatiotemporally controlled release. This minireview discusses the current advances in programmable nanocarriers for cancer therapy with particular emphasis on synergistic and sequential drug delivery systems.

Facile preparation of carbon-functionalized ordered magnetic mesoporous silica composites for highly selective enrichment of N-glycans

A novel carbon-functionalized ordered magnetic mesoporous silica composite was designed and synthesized.

A facile one-pot synthesis of colloidal stable, monodisperse, highly PEGylated CuS@mSiO2 nanocomposites for the combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy

A facile one-pot approach was developed for the synthesis of colloidal stable, monodisperse, highly PEGylated mesoporous silica coated CuS nanocomposites.

Thermoresponsive nanodevices in biomedical applications

In the last couple of decades several drug carriers have been tailored on the nanometric scale by taking advantage of new stimuli responsive materials. Thermoresponsive polymers in particular have been extensively employed as stimuli-responsive building blocks that in combination with other environmental-responsive materials allowed the birth of smarter systems that can respond to more than one stimulus. Examples that highlight the different polymers for thermally triggered drug delivery will be described. A special emphasis will be given to the description of novel theranostic nanodevices that combine more than one responsive modality in order to create a local hyperthermia that leads to the polymer phase transition and triggered drug release, cell recognition, and/or appearance of an imaging signal.

Fabrication of a novel magnetic yolk–shell Fe3O4@mTiO2@mSiO2 nanocomposite for selective enrichment of endogenous phosphopeptides from a complex sample

A novel magnetic yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@mTiO₂@mSiO₂ demonstrated the excellent enrichment efficacy and selectivity of endogenous phosphopeptides from human serum.