Cu-Bi2S3 nanorods promote reactive oxygen species production for photodynamic therapy of prostate cancer

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising cancer treatment approach due to its non-invasive and specifically targeted nature. However, the effectiveness of PDT is hindered by the complex synthesis of conventional photosensitizers and inadequate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Here, we synthesize a copper-doped Bi2S3 (Cu-Bi2S3) nanorod to investigate its PDT potential against PCa. Compared with bulk Bi2S3 (58%), Cu-Bi2S3 nanorod caused 87% of PC3 cells to die under light. The dispersed Cu in the Bi2S3 bulk phase effectively inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, ultimately providing a high concentration of charge carriers. DFT calculations show that Cu doping causes the d-band center of Cu-Bi2S3, promoting the adsorption and activation of O2 on Cu-Bi2S3 to enhance ROS generation. This work offers a viable solution to the pressing scientific challenge of ROS generation, a key aspect of enhancing the efficacy of PDT for cancer treatment.