Synthetic carbon-based lanthanide upconversion nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal therapy

Mei Yang (), Yida Huang, Zhongxing Chen, Qianfang Ye, Zhenhai Zeng, Xinru You, Bijun Bao, Wenqian Xing, Nan Zhao, Zhilin Zou, Hongxian Pan, Xin Chen, Qingyi Gao, Tingting Chen, Shenrong Zhang, Aodong Chen, Yichen Xiao, Huilin Xu, Jiawei Li, Yongjiang Li, Na Kong, Wei Tao (), Xingtao Zhou () and Jinhai Huang ()
Additional contact information
Mei Yang: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Yida Huang: Wenzhou Medical University
Zhongxing Chen: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Qianfang Ye: Wenzhou Medical University
Zhenhai Zeng: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Xinru You: Harvard Medical School
Bijun Bao: Wenzhou Medical University
Wenqian Xing: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Nan Zhao: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Zhilin Zou: Wenzhou Medical University
Hongxian Pan: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Xin Chen: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Qingyi Gao: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Tingting Chen: Wenzhou Medical University
Shenrong Zhang: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Aodong Chen: Wenzhou Medical University
Yichen Xiao: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Huilin Xu: Wenzhou Medical University
Jiawei Li: Wenzhou Medical University
Yongjiang Li: Harvard Medical School
Na Kong: Harvard Medical School
Wei Tao: Harvard Medical School
Xingtao Zhou: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases
Jinhai Huang: Fudan University; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Abstract Photothermal therapy (PTT), a vanguard strategy in cancer/ocular neovascularization treatment, has attracted considerable attention owing to its precision, controllability, high efficacy, and minimal side effects. Nevertheless, its inherent limitations necessitate innovative solutions. One promising strategy is to develop reagents with enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency under long-wavelength laser irradiation. Carbon nanomaterials, known for their broad absorption spectra, are currently hindered by single-wavelength lasers in clinical treatments. In this study, we address this limitation by coating mesoporous carbon nanomaterials (MCNs) with a lanthanide oxysulfide up-conversion material (Y2O2S:Yb3+,Er3+), converting 980 nm light into visible light. This advancement enhances the photothermal conversion efficiency of the produced MCNs/Ln/GD/FR nanocomposites from 59.48% to 82.86%. Furthermore, the incorporation of gambogic acid and doxorubicin intensifies the synergistic photothermal therapy effect. A dual stimuli-responsive hydrogel (PNIPAM) is employed to ensure controlled drug release and safe delivery to tumors. Evaluations demonstrate that the MCNs/Ln/GD/FR nanocomposites exhibit exceptional tumor targeting and evident photothermal synergistic therapy effects on both subcutaneous and ocular in situ melanoma tumors by activating tumor-suppressive signaling pathways while inhibiting proliferation and differentiation-related pathways. These findings might pave the way for the development of photothermal reagent and offer valuable insights for advancing therapeutic strategies.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60454-5

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