Abstract
Methods Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoclusters (SPIOCs) were located within the core, which resulted in high photothermal conversion and outstanding generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The shell consisted of a human serum albumin- (HSA-) paclitaxel (PTX) layer, which extended the blood circulation time and ensured the effectiveness of the chemotherapy. Arg-Gly-Asp peptides (RGD) were linked to the naked cysteine moieties in HSA to promote the specific targeting of human glioma U87 cells by αvβ3 integrins. Continuous near-infrared light irradiation triggered and promoted the synergistic chemo/CDT therapy through the photothermal effect. Results Our SPIOCs@HSA-RGD nanoplatform showed well biocompatibility and could target glioma specifically. Photothermal conversion and ROS burst were detected after continuous 808 nm light irradiation, and a significant antitumor effect was achieved. Conclusion Experimental in vitro and in vivo evaluations showed that our photothermal-mediated chemo/CDT therapy could efficiently inhibit tumor growth and is therefore promising for cancer therapy.
Highlights
In recent decades, conventional therapies for glioma have mainly comprised surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; their therapeutic effect has not been satisfying [1, 2]
Hydrophobic ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoclusters (SPIOCs), which were employed as the core of our Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoclusters (SPIOCs)@HSA(PTX)-RGD nanoplatform, were shelled by the hydrophilic human serum albumin (HSA)
The SPIOCs played an important role in chemodynamic therapy and photothermal conversion
Summary
Conventional therapies for glioma have mainly comprised surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; their therapeutic effect has not been satisfying [1, 2]. Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) show superior properties, such as low toxicity and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, as well as superior photothermal effects [11,12,13,14]. Under consideration of naked Fe3O4 NPs which are not fully biocompatible, human serum albumin (HSA), with its inherent biocompatibility and abundance, is usually used to decrease their toxicity [20]. These HSA-coated nanoparticles can be internalized into cancer cells by gp receptor-related translation mechanism that overcomes negative charge-induced repulsion. An efficient CDT agent for synergistic chemo/CDT therapy mediated by the photothermal effect was developed by an iron oxide self-assembly method. Experimental in vitro and in vivo evaluations showed that our photothermal-mediated chemo/CDT therapy could efficiently inhibit tumor growth and is promising for cancer therapy
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