Perfluorocarbon nanoparticles enhance reactive oxygen levels and tumour growth inhibition in photodynamic therapy

Yuhao Cheng, Hao Cheng, Chenxiao Jiang, Xuefeng Qiu, Kaikai Wang, Wei Huan, Ahu Yuan, Jinhui Wu () and Yiqiao Hu ()
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Yuhao Cheng: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Hao Cheng: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Chenxiao Jiang: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Xuefeng Qiu: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Kaikai Wang: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Wei Huan: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Ahu Yuan: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Jinhui Wu: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University
Yiqiao Hu: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) kills cancer cells by converting tumour oxygen into reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) using a photosensitizer. However, pre-existing hypoxia in tumours and oxygen consumption during PDT can result in an inadequate oxygen supply, which in turn hampers photodynamic efficacy. Here to overcome this problem, we create oxygen self-enriching photodynamic therapy (Oxy-PDT) by loading a photosensitizer into perfluorocarbon nanodroplets. Because of the higher oxygen capacity and longer 1O2 lifetime of perfluorocarbon, the photodynamic effect of the loaded photosensitizer is significantly enhanced, as demonstrated by the accelerated generation of 1O2 and elevated cytotoxicity. Following direct injection into tumours, in vivo studies reveal tumour growth inhibition in the Oxy-PDT-treated mice. In addition, a single-dose intravenous injection of Oxy-PDT into tumour-bearing mice significantly inhibits tumour growth, whereas traditional PDT has no effect. Oxy-PDT may enable the enhancement of existing clinical PDT and future PDT design.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9785

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