Single-wavelength phototheranostics for colon cancer via the thiolytic reaction

Nanoscale. 2020 Jun 11;12(22):12165-12171. doi: 10.1039/d0nr02393k.

Abstract

It's a huge challenge to develop effective nanosystems that combine the capabilities of diagnoses and therapies together for colon cancer in the clinic. Herein, we constructed a far-red absorbing phototheranostic nanosystem (FR-H2S) based on the thiolytic reaction of a dinitrophenyl modified phototheranostic prodrug and over-expressed H2S in colon cancer sites for precise imaging-guided phototherapy. FR-H2S with a BODIPY core not only could work as an imaging probe for diagnosis but also act as a phototherapeutic agent for cancer treatment under a single FR laser source (650 nm). FR-H2S exhibited a gradually enhanced fluorescence emission for precise diagnosis of H2S-rich colon tumor sites. After entering tumor cells, FR-H2S could generate abundant 1O2 and heat for phototherapies timely by using the same laser source (650 nm). We believe that this precise imaging-guided phototheranostic nanosystem could provide a promising approach to colon cancer with minimal damage.

MeSH terms

  • Colonic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Phototherapy
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine*