A multifunctional AIE gold cluster-based theranostic system: tumor-targeted imaging and Fenton reaction-assisted enhanced radiotherapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

As cancer is one of the main leading causes of mortality, a series of monotherapies such as chemotherapy, gene therapy and radiotherapy have been developed to overcome this thorny problem. However, a single treatment approach could not achieve satisfactory effect in many experimental explorations.

RESULTS:

In this study, we report the fabrication of cyclic RGD peptide (cRGD) modified Au4-iron oxide nanoparticle (Au4-IO NP-cRGD) based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) as a multifunctional theranostic system. Besides Au4 cluster-based fluorescence imaging and enhanced radiotherapy, iron oxide (IO) nanocluster could realize magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and Fenton reaction-based chemotherapy. Abundant toxic reactive oxygen species generated from X-ray irradiation and in situ tumor-specific Fenton reaction under acidic microenvironment leads to the apoptotic and necrotic death of cancer cells. In vivo studies demonstrated good biocompatibility of Au4-IO NP-cRGD and a high tumor suppression rate of 81.1% in the synergistic therapy group.

CONCLUSIONS:

The successful dual-modal imaging and combined tumor therapy demonstrated AIE as a promising strategy for constructing multifunctional cancer theranostic platform.

• Authors: Yue Hua, Yuan Wang, Xue Kang, Fan Xu, Zhen Han, Chong Zhang, Zhao-Yang Wang, Jun-Qi Liu, Xueli Zhao, Xiaoyuan Chen, Shuang-Quan Zang
• Journal: Journal of nanobiotechnology (J Nanobiotechnology) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 438 (Dec 20 2021) ISSN: 1477-3155 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34930279 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Fenton's reagent
• Ferric Compounds
• Oligopeptides
• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
• ferric oxide
• Gold
• arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Iron

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Female
• Ferric Compounds (chemistry)
• Gold (chemistry)
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (chemistry)
• Iron (chemistry)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Nanoparticles (chemistry, toxicity)
• Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy)
• Oligopeptides (chemistry)
• Photochemotherapy
• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Theranostic Nanomedicine
• Tissue Distribution