Cu2Se-based injectable hydrogels for synergistic photothermal/gas therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Nanping Zhong; Jianghao Xing; Jia He; Xinyu Zhao; Xianwen Wang; Haowei Xue

Materials & Design (Jan 2024)

Cu2Se-based injectable hydrogels for synergistic photothermal/gas therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Nanping Zhong,
Jianghao Xing,
Jia He,
Xinyu Zhao,
Xianwen Wang,
Haowei Xue

Affiliations

Nanping Zhong: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
Jianghao Xing: College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
Jia He: College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; Department of Wound and Burn, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
Xinyu Zhao: College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; Department of Wound and Burn, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
Xianwen Wang: College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; School of Oral Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Disease Research, Hefei 230032, PR China; Corresponding authors at: College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China (X. Wang).
Haowei Xue: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; Corresponding authors at: College of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China (X. Wang).

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 237
p. 112535

Abstract

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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) produces malignant tumours in the oral cavity and adjacent anatomical structures, ranking sixth among the 11 most common malignant tumours in the body. The poor surgical outcomes for OSCC have led to increasing interest in nanomedicines. Major challenges with concentration-dependent therapies include the effective and precise delivery of gases to the lesion and combination with other therapies to achieve precise treatment. Herein, novel Cu2Se nanosheets (Cu2Se NSs) were ingeniously synthesized and enveloped with a thermosensitive nitric oxide (NO) supplier (sodium nitroprusside dihydrate, SNP) within a sodium alginate (ALG) hydrogel matrix to effectively eradicate tumours by combining photothermal therapy (PTT) and gas therapy (GT). The Cu2Se NSs reduced the glutathione (GSH) present in high concentrations to glutathione disulfide (GSSG), effectively killing squamous cell carcinoma cells under 1064 nm laser irradiation. Moreover, the Cu2Se NS hydrogel wrapped with SNP exhibited good NIR-controlled NO release behaviour, thus realizing the combined application of PTT and GT. PTT along with NO release is expected to improve the antitumour effect and provide new solutions for treating OSCC.

Published in Materials & Design

ISSN: 0264-1275 (Print); 1873-4197 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-and-design

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