Year: 2023
Type: editorial
Abstract: Designing novel photosensitizer plays a vital role in phototherapy by either relieving hypoxia, for example, delivering oxygen to the tumor or in situ generation oxygen; or diminishing oxygen consumption with oxygen-independent therapy, for example, type I PDT. Wenming Tao et al. from Xiangyang Central Hospital synthesized a semiconducting polymer (PDPP) and encapsulated it with hydrophilic PEG-PDPA to enhance the electron transfer for type I PDT. [4] PDPP NPs show high superoxide radical generation ability. Both in vitro and in vivo study demonstrate PDPP NPs with considerably high phototoxicity against human cervical cancer. Apart from hydrophilic PEG, extracellular vesicles (EVs) can also be used as the platform for the delivery of photosensitizers. Lingjun Tong et al. from Shandong First Medical University have systematically summarized the passive and active loading strategies of photosensitizers into EVs, the advantages and disadvantages of EV based delivery nanoplatform. [5] According to their statistical analysis, cancer cells (23.6%), stem cells (22.9%), and HEK293 (21.7%) derived EVs were most commonly used in preclinical studies. This may be because researchers are trying to take advantage of the homing and immune escaping properties of EV pararenal cells, such as cancer cells and stem cells. [6] Activatable nano-platform for cancer therapy is attracting broad interest. Glutathione (GSH) with reductivity exists universally in cancer cells. Designing nanomaterials for depletion of GSH may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of PDT. Longguang Tang et al. from Guangdong Medical University prepared a smart nanoplatform for enhanced photo-ferrotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma. [7] Given that the overexpression of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in colorectal cancer (CRC), Albert Jin et al. from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) composed of meso-Tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP) and ferric ion (Fe 3+ ) through a facile onepot process. The MOF is capable of depredating in response to the high content of H2S in tumor microenvironment of CRC. [8]
Source: Frontiers in Chemistry
Authors: Jianhua Zou, Fuwu Zhang, Wenpei Fan, Ling Li, Zhen Yang
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,295
OpenAlex ID: W4383816520