Platelet-membrane-camouflaged bismuth sulfide nanorods for synergistic radio-photothermal therapy against cancer

Biomater Sci. 2019 Aug 1;7(8):3450-3459. doi: 10.1039/c9bm00599d. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Abstract

Bismuth-containing nanoparticles (BNPs) are potential enhancers for tumor radiotherapy. Improving the bioavailability and developing synergistic therapeutic regimens benefit the drug transformation of BNPs. In the present study, we prepare a mesoporous silica-coated bismuth nanorod (BMSNR) camouflaged by a platelet membrane (PM). This biomimetic material is termed BMSNR@PM. The PM camouflage enhances the immune escape of the BMSNRs by lowering endocytosis by macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system. Additionally, the PM camouflage strengthens the material tumor-targeting capacity and leads to better radiotherapeutic efficacy compared with bare BMSNRs. Owing to the photothermal effect, BMSNR@PMs alters the cell cycle of 4T1 cancer cells post-treatment with 808 nm near-infrared irradiation (NIR). The proportions of S phase and G2/M phase cells decrease and increase, respectively, which explains the synergistic effect of NIR on BMSNR@PM-based radiotherapy. BMSNR@PMs efficiently eradicates cancer cells by the combined action of photothermal therapy (PTT) and radiotherapy in vivo and markedly improves the survival of 4T1-tumor-bearing mice. The synergistic therapeutic effect is superior to the outcomes of PTT and radiotherapy performed alone. Our study demonstrates a versatile bismuth-containing nanoplatform with tumor-targeting, immune escape, and radiosensitizing functionalities using an autologous cell membrane biomimetic concept that may promote the development of radiotherapy enhancers.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bismuth / chemistry*
  • Bismuth / metabolism
  • Bismuth / pharmacology*
  • Blood Platelets / cytology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Endocytosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Phototherapy*
  • Porosity
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / metabolism
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Sulfides / chemistry*
  • Sulfides / metabolism
  • Sulfides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • Sulfides
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Bismuth
  • bismuth sulfide