Synergistic photodynamic and photothermal therapy of BODIPY-conjugated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles

Abstract

The combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising strategy for complete tumor ablation therapy. Herein, a boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-conjugated hyaluronic acid polymer that can self-assemble to form the nanoparticles (BODIPY-HA NPs) was prepared for combined cancer PDT and PTT. The fluorescence emission and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of BODIPY-HA NPs were inhibited because of the π-π stacking behavior of BODIPY, resulting in photothermal effect under 808 nm light irradiation. Upon the internalization by cancer cells, the BODIPY-HA NPs could disassemble into BODIPY-HA molecules, with the recovery of the fluorescence and ROS generation for PDT. Importantly, in vitro results confirmed that combined PTT and PDT have exhibited better anticancer effect than PTT alone upon 808 nm laser irradiation. These results showed that the self-assembled BODIPY-HA NPs may be a promising nanomedicine for synergistic cancer PDT and PTT.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• BODIPY
• hyaluronic acid
• synergistic effect
• photodynamic therapy
• photothermal therapy

Disclosure statement

Conflict of interest statement. None declared.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 51403081), the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Grant LY20B020001), Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province (Grant 2021C01180), and Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Project (Grant 2019C04020).