Conversion therapy strategy: A novel GPC3-targeted multimodal organic phototheranostics platform for mid-late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Fan Wu; Xin Kuang; Sanlin Deng; Shuo Qi; Jian Xiong; Bibo Zhao; Chuanfu Li; Senyou Tan; Qiang Kang; Hao Xiao; Xiaofeng Tan; Gui-long Wu; Qinglai Yang; Guodong Chen

Materials Today Bio (Feb 2025)

Conversion therapy strategy: A novel GPC3-targeted multimodal organic phototheranostics platform for mid-late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Fan Wu,
Xin Kuang,
Sanlin Deng,
Shuo Qi,
Jian Xiong,
Bibo Zhao,
Chuanfu Li,
Senyou Tan,
Qiang Kang,
Hao Xiao,
Xiaofeng Tan,
Gui-long Wu,
Qinglai Yang,
Guodong Chen

Affiliations

Fan Wu: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Xin Kuang: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Sanlin Deng: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Shuo Qi: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Jian Xiong: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Bibo Zhao: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Chuanfu Li: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Senyou Tan: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Qiang Kang: Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Hao Xiao: Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
Xiaofeng Tan: Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Corresponding author.
Gui-long Wu: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Corresponding author. Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
Qinglai Yang: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Corresponding author. Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28 West Changsheng Road, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
Guodong Chen: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Center for Molecular Imaging Probe Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Research Center for Early Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Department of General Surgery, Turpan City People's Hospital, Tulufan, 838000, China; Corresponding author. Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28 West Changsheng Road, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 30
p. 101442

Abstract

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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is typically diagnosed at intermediate to advanced stage, making surgical treatment unfeasible. Conversion therapy aims to reduce tumor stage, improve hepatic resection feasibility, and lower recurrence rates. Since traditional therapies are often accompanied by uncertainty of efficacy, there is an urgent need to explore new treatment strategies. Near-infrared phototheranostics technology provides a new way for HCC diagnosis and treatment by its excellent optical properties. However, complex preparation and poor biocompatibility of phototheranostics probes limit clinical application. In this study, we developed a fluorescence/magnetic resonance dual-modality imaging (FLI/MRI) as well as photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT) GPC3-targeted multifunctional phototheranostics probe, IR820-GPC3-Gd NPs (IGD NPs), to improve the efficiency of conversion therapy for HCC. The IGD NPs were simply prepared with the IR820 as the core. Conjugating the HCC-specific targeting molecule GPC3 peptide and the MRI agent DOTA-Gd through click chemistry. IGD NPs target HCC cells through GPC3, releasing heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) under noninvasive 808 nm laser irradiation to reduce tumor size and achieve downstaging. High-sensitivity FLI/MRI precisely delineates tumor boundaries, providing real-time surgical navigation and prognosis assessment. This novel probe offers a feasible and effective treatment option for advanced HCC.

Published in Materials Today Bio

ISSN: 2590-0064 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-bio

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