As a novel treatment modality of tumors, hypothermal hyperthermia employed relatively lower temperature (<45 °C) to damage cancer cells with mild toxicity to normal tissues. However, beyond that inducible heat resistance of tumor cells, the discounted therapeutic effect of low temperature hyperthermia was also ascribed to poor penetration of exogenous light stimulation and low accumulation of photothermal agents in tumor sites. Herein, we constructed a multifunctional in situ hydrogel of sodium alginate (ALG) via Ca2+ coordinated with ALG to encapsulate the photothermal agent of Ink and azo initiator of 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride (AIPH) for effective tumor treatment. The designed ALG hydrogel was used to improve the therapeutic effect by increased accumulation of Ink and AIPH and avoid potential side-effects caused by the unexpected spread to the surrounding normal tissues. After injection, local low temperature stimulation was generated with near-infrared-II irradiation by a 1064 nm laser, triggering rapid decomposition of AIPH to produce alkyl radicals. The synergistic low temperature photothermal therapy and cytotoxic-free radicals enhanced the apoptosis of tumor cells via physical heat damage and lipid peroxidation. Thus, remarkable inhibition of tumor growth was observed in a subcutaneous colorectal cancer with negligible side effects. Furthermore, the formulation could also exert strong photoacoustic signals, which were utilized to monitor the stability of the composite hydrogel.
Keywords: azo initiator; free radicals; hydrogel; ink; near infrared II photothermal therapy.