Abstract
Phototherapy (PT), a light activated treatment modality, is a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of melanoma. In spite of the excellent safety profile and absorption in the near infrared (NIR) range, clinical potential of indocyanine green (ICG) as PT is limited by its short half-life and inefficient tumor accumulation. In this study, we have covalently conjugated ICG-NH2 to the pendant carboxyl groups of poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate) (PEG-PCC) copolymer using carbodiimide coupling, which self-assembled into micelles with a particle size of 30–50nm and high ICG loading. These ICG conjugated micelles exhibited significant in vitro photodynamic cytotoxicity. Use of sodium azide and NIR radiation at 4°C revealed photodynamic and photothermal as mechanism of cytotoxicity of ICG solution and ICG conjugated micelles, respectively. In vivo NIR imaging demonstrated that ICG conjugated micelles prolonged its circulation and increased tumor accumulation through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Enhanced tumor accumulation improved therapeutic efficacy with complete tumor regression in NIR irradiated ICG conjugated micelles compared to ICG solution and control in a A375 human melanoma tumor model in athymic nude mice. These results suggest that ICG conjugated micelles can be potentially utilized for PT and imaging of melanoma.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
