Light-Activatable Red Blood Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Dimeric Prodrug Nanoparticles for Synergistic Photodynamic/Chemotherapy.

Pei, Qing; Hu, Xiuli; Zheng, Xiaohua; Liu, Shi; Li, Yawei; Jing, Xiabin; Xie, Zhigang · ACS Nano · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Biomimetic approach offers numerous opportunities to design therapeutic platforms with enhanced antitumor performance and biocompatibility. Herein we report red blood cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles (RBC(M(TPC-PTX))) for synergistic chemo- and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Specifically, the inner core is mainly constructed by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive PTX dimer (PTX<sub>2</sub>-TK) and photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylchlorin (TPC). In vitro experiments show that the prepared RBC(M(TPC-PTX)) is readily taken up into endosomes. Under appropriate light irradiation, the TPC can generate ROS, not only for PDT but also for triggering PTX<sub>2</sub>-TK cleavage and on-demand PTX release for chemotherapy. In vivo results show that the coating of RBC membrane prolongs blood circulation and improves tumor accumulation. The combination of chemo- and photodynamic therapy enhances anticancer therapeutic activity, and light-triggered drug release reduces systematic toxicity. All these characteristics render the described technology extremely promising for cancer treatment.

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