TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ Nanocomposites Utilize Their Photothermal Activity for Targeted Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Purpose

The search for effective and low-risk treatment methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a pressing concern, given the inherent risks and adverse reactions associated with traditional therapies. Photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, offering advantages such as non-radiation, non-invasiveness, and targeted treatment. Consequently, the development of nanoparticles with high stability, biocompatibility, and photothermal effects has become a significant research focus within the field of PTT.

Methods

In this study, TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized, and their photothermal conversion efficiency in the near-infrared region II (NIR-II) was determined. Then studied the in vivo and in vitro photothermal activity and anti-tumor effect of TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ in human colorectal cancer cell lines and nude mice subcutaneous tumor model.

Results

The results showed that TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ nanocomposites have strong absorption ability in the NIR-II, and have high photothermal conversion efficiency under 1064 nm (0.5 W/cm², 6 min) laser stimulation. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ nanocomposites significantly inhibited the invasion, migration, and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, and induced cell apoptosis; in vivo, experiments showed that TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ nanocomposites-mediated PTT had good biocompatibility and efficient targeted inhibition of tumor growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ nanocomposites can be used as NIR-II absorption materials in PTT to suppress the invasion, migration, and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, induce colorectal cancer cell apoptosis, and thus inhibit the development of CRC. Therefore, TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ nanocomposites can be used as potential anti-tumor drugs for photothermal ablation of colorectal cancer cells.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• TiO₂-Ti₃C₂
• photothermal activity
• colorectal cancer
• photothermal therapy

Abbreviations

CRC, colorectal cancer; PTT, photothermal therapy; NIR-I, near-infrared region I; NIR-II, near-infrared region II; SEM, scanning electron microscopy; TEM, transmission electron microscopy; EDS, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; HAADF-STEM, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy; XRD, X-ray powder diffraction; XPS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; SD, standard deviation.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed in the study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval

All experimental protocols were reviewed and approved by the Wenzhou Medical University Experimental Animal Ethics Committee (wydw2023-0507).

All animal research was conducted in accordance with the standards outlined in the 8th edition of “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” published by the National Academy of Sciences, National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81902891). Graphical abstract was created with Biorender.com.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.