Near-Infrared Semiconducting Polymer Brush and pH/GSH-Responsive Polyoxometalate Cluster Hybrid Platform for Enhanced Tumor-Specific Phototheranostics

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2018 Oct 22;57(43):14101-14105. doi: 10.1002/anie.201808074. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Abstract

Tumor-specific phototheranostics is conducive to realizing precise cancer therapy. Herein, a novel tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive phototheranostic paradigm based on the combination of semiconducting polymer brushes and polyoxometalate clusters (SPB@POM) is rationally designed. The acidic TME could drive the self-assembly of SPB@POM into bigger aggregates for enhanced tumor retention and accumulation, while the reducing TME could significantly enhance the NIR absorption of SPB@POM for significant improvement of photoacoustic imaging contrast and photothermal therapy efficacy. Therefore, the smart pH/glutathione (GSH)-responsive SPB@POM allows for remarkable phototheranostic enhancement under the unique TME, which has potential for precise tumor-specific phototheranostics with minimal side effects.

Keywords: photoacoustic imaging; phototheranostics; photothermal therapy; semiconducting polymers; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Glutathione / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Phototherapy / methods*
  • Polymerization
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Semiconductors*
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine*
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Tungsten Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Tungsten Compounds
  • polyoxometalate I
  • Glutathione