The need for innovative approaches in cancer treatment has become increasingly urgent, particularly with regard to malignant tumours. Current treatment methods, while effective to some degree, often come with limitations such as poor targeting, side effects, and issues with tissue penetration.
One promising avenue that has emerged is the use of biomolecules-based materials in phototherapy, a method that uses light to target and destroy cancerous cells. However, despite their potential, existing supramolecular biomaterials face significant obstacles, including inadequate tumour accumulation, poor tissue penetration, and a failure to fully utilise the unique advantages of molecular chirality. As a result, the effectiveness of phototherapy remains limited, underscoring the need for continued research and development in this area.
Recent advancements have sought to overcome these challenges. In particular, there has been a focus on creating near-infrared (NIR) circularly polarised (CP) light-responsive materials. This approach aims to enhance phototherapy’s efficacy by improving how light interacts with these materials, resulting in better therapeutic outcomes. Despite the promise of such designs, developing supramolecular biomaterials with superior NIR chiroptical properties has proven to be a complex task, particularly when it comes to increasing their phototherapeutic performance.
In a recent article, a research group led by Prof. Chen Xueyuan from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented a novel solution to this problem. They developed a new type of hybrid quantum dot hydrogel, known as CuInSe2@ZnS quantum dots (CISe@ZnS QDs) hydrogel, or QDs@L/D-Gel. This material is designed to significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo when exposed to 808-nm CP light, representing a major advancement in the field of tumour phototherapy.
The creation of QDs@L/D-Gel was achieved through a process of self-assembly, which involved combining CISe@ZnS quantum dots with amino acid precursors. The resulting material exhibited a range of impressive properties, including distinct NIR chiroptical activity, with |gabs| values reaching up to 1.3 × 10^-2 and |glum| up to 3.4 × 10^-3. Furthermore, the QDs@L/D-Gel demonstrated a significantly improved photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of 43%. This efficiency, paired with an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to 808-nm CP light, is crucial for enhancing the material’s ability to destroy cancerous cells. These characteristics highlight the potential of QDs@L/D-Gel to be a game-changer in tumour treatment through phototherapy.
The enhanced therapeutic efficacy of this material can be attributed to its ability to retain itself in tumour tissues for extended periods, lasting over 72 hours, and its excellent biocompatibility. This was demonstrated through tests on mice, where QDs@L-Gel-treated subjects showed an impressive tumour inhibition rate of 83% after treatment with NIR-CP light, without any observed toxic side effects. The results clearly outperformed the same material when exposed to linearly polarised (LP) light from an 808-nm laser, underscoring the advantages of using circularly polarised light in this context.
One of the key aspects of the research involved the use of circular dichroism (CD) spectra to explore the supramolecular conformation of the quantum dot hydrogels. The findings revealed mirror symmetry in the CD curves of L-Gel and D-Gel, demonstrating that these two materials were self-assembled from opposite chiral units. This discovery provides valuable insight into the role of chirality in the development of phototherapeutic materials, highlighting the importance of designing materials that fully utilise this property.
The study presents a fresh perspective on the use of NIR-CP light to achieve more effective and targeted phototherapy. By enhancing tumour retention and biocompatibility, these biomolecules-based materials offer a promising path towards improving the clinical application of phototherapy. The research led by Prof. Chen Xueyuan serves as an important step towards translating these innovations into viable treatments for cancer patients. Through this work, the team has contributed to the ongoing effort to develop materials that can not only meet the technical challenges of tumour phototherapy but also accelerate their use in clinical settings, benefiting patients in the future.
In conclusion, the innovative approach of using NIR-CP light-responsive hybrid quantum dot hydrogels developed by Prof. Chen’s team marks a significant breakthrough in the field of biomolecules-based materials for cancer treatment. The promising results achieved in both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate the potential for these materials to revolutionise tumour phototherapy, offering a more targeted and efficient method for combating cancer without the harmful side effects often associated with traditional therapies. This research could pave the way for more widespread use of biomolecules-based materials in clinical practice, providing hope for improved outcomes in the fight against cancer.
Author:
Alex Carter
Content Producer and Writer
Nano Magazine
