NIR-II-Absorbing NDI Polymer with Superior Penetration Depth for Enhanced Photothermal Therapy Efficiency of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Bei Li,1,2,* Yuting Luo,1,2,* Geng Liu,1,2 Maling Gou,3 Lei Feng,1,2 Xiwen Ye,1,2 Jianrong Xu,1,2 Yaotian Fan,1,2 Zhen You1,2 1Division of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China; 2Research Center for Biliary Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhen You, Tel/Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) have a high morbidity and mortality rate, and is difficult to cure and prone to recurrence when it has already developed. Therefore, early detection and efficient treatment of HCC is necessary.Methods: In this study, we synthesized a novel NDI polymer with uniform size, long-term stability, and high near-infrared two-zone (NIR-II) absorption efficiency, which can greatly enhance the effect of photothermal therapy (PTT) after intravenous injection into Huh-7-tumor bearing mice.Results: The in vitro and in vivo studies showed that NDI polymer exhibited excellent NIR-guided PTT treatment, and the antitumor effect was approximately 88.5%, with obvious antimetastatic effects.Conclusion: This study developed an NDI polymer-mediated integrated diagnostic and therapeutic modality for NIR-II fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy.Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, photothermal therapy, NDI polymer, NIR-II imaging

Keywords

• hepatocellular carcinoma
• photothermal therapy
• ndi polymer
• nir-ii imaging.