International Journal of Nanomedicine (Jul 2022)

Dual-Target Multifunctional Superparamagnetic Cationic Nanoliposomes for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Synergistic Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy of Retinoblastoma

  • Zheng W,
  • Li X,
  • Zou H,
  • Xu Y,
  • Li P,
  • Zhou X,
  • Wu M

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 3217 – 3237

Abstract

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Wendi Zheng,1,2,* Xing Li,1,2,* Hongmi Zou,1,2 Yan Xu,1 Pan Li,2 Xiyuan Zhou,1 Mingxing Wu1 1Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mingxing Wu; Xiyuan Zhou, Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 183 2342 5867 ; +86 139 9628 6679, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: With high malignancy, retinoblastoma (RB) commonly occurs in infants and has incredible difficulty with the early diagnosis. In recent years, the integrated theranostics of multimodal imaging-guided therapy has shown promising potential for oncotherapy.Purpose: To prepare folate/magnetic dual-target theranostic nanoparticles integrating with US/PA/MR imaging and the synergistic photothermal treatment (PTT)/photodynamic treatment (PDT) for the early diagnosis and timely intervention of RB cancer.Methods: Folate/magnetic dual-target cationic nanoliposomes (CN) encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) and perfluorohexane(PFH)(FA-CN-PFH-ICG-Fe3O4, FCNPIFE) were synthesized and characterized. Then we evaluated their targeting ability, US/PA/MR imaging effects, and the efficacy of synergistic PTT/PDT in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we explored the mechanism of synergistic PTT/PDT in Y79 tumor-bearing mice.Results: FCNPIFEs were stable and uniform in 7 days. They showed excellent in vitro targeting ability with a 95.29% cell uptake rate. The in vitro US/PA/MRI imaging results of FCNPIFEs showed a concentration-dependent manner, and in vitro therapy FCNPIFEs exhibited an enhanced anticancer efficacy against Y79 cells. In vivo analysis confirmed that FCNPIFEs enabled a targeted synergistic PTT/PDT under US/PA/MR imaging guidance in Y79 tumor-bearing mice, achieving almost complete tumor regression. Immunofluorescence results displayed weaker fluorescence intensity compared with other single treatment groups, confirming that PTT/PDT synergistic therapy effect was achieved by down-regulating the expression of HIF-1α and HSP70.Conclusion: FCNPIFEs were verified as promising theranostic nanoliposomes for RB oncotherapy and showed great potential in clinical application.Keywords: nanomedicine, retinoblastoma, theranostic, phototherapy

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