Title: Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres as a Multifunctional Carrier for Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Optical nanomaterials with intense absorption in near-infrared (NIR) region hold great promise for biomedical applications such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). In this work, we report mesoporous carbon nanospheres (Meso-CNs) with broadband and intense absorption in the UV–Vis–NIR region (300–1400 nm) and explore their potential as a multifunctional platform for photoacoustic imaging and chemo-photothermal therapy. Methods: Meso-CNs were prepared by a “silica-assisted” synthesis strategy and characterized by transmission electron microscope and optical spectroscopy. We investigated the photothermal conversion and photoacoustic imaging of Meso-CNs in comparison with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), graphene and gold nanorods (GNRs). In vitro cellular assays and in vivo chemo-photothermal combination therapy were performed. Results: The absorption coefficients of Meso-CNs are 1.5–2 times higher than those of SWCNTs and graphene and are comparable to those of GNRs in both the first and the second near-infrared optical windows (NIR-I and NIR-II) of tissues. When exposed to an NIR laser, the photothermal and photoacoustic signal generation of Meso-CNs are also stronger than those of SWCNTs, graphene, and GNRs. DOX was loaded into Meso-CNs with a high efficiency (35 wt%) owing to the unique mesoporous structure. Particularly, the drug release from Meso-CNs is sensitive to both pHmore » and NIR light stimulation. In vivo chemo-photothermal combination therapy demonstrates a remarkable inhibition effect on tumor growth under NIR laser treatment. Conclusions: We have developed Meso-CNs for photothermal conversion and photoacoustic imaging. The porous structure also serves as a drug carrier and the drug release can be controlled by pH and external light. The high drug loading capacity, superior photothermal and photoacoustic generation, together with the apparent chemo-photothermal therapeutic effect, make Meso-CNs a promising platform for cancer theranostics.« less

Authors:

Zhou, Libo ^[1]; Jing, Ying ^[1]; Liu, Yubin ^[2]; Liu, Zhihe ^[1]; Gao, Duyang ^[2]; Chen, Haobin ^[1]; Song, Weiye ^[1]; Wang, Tao ^[1]; Fang, Xiaofeng ^[1]; Qin, Weiping ^[1]; Yuan, Zhen ^[2]; Dai, Sheng ^[3]; Qiao, Zhen-An ^[1]; Wu, Changfeng ^[4]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Jilin Univ., Changchun (China). College of Chemistry. State Key Lab. of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparation Chemistry. College of Electronic Science and Engineering. State Key Lab. on Integrated Optoelectronics
2. Univ. of Macau Taipa, Macau SAR (China). Faculty of Health Science. Bioimaging Core
3. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Chemical Sciences Division
4. Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong (China). Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

Publication Date:

Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2018

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Engineering & Technology

OSTI Identifier:

1628783

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Theranostics

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 8; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 1838-7640

Publisher:

Ivyspring

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Research & Experimental Medicine; mesoporous carbon nanospheres, near-infrared absorption, drug delivery, photoacoustic imaging, photothermal therapy