808 nm Near-Infrared Light-Excited UCNPs@mSiO₂-Ce6-GPC3 Nanocomposites For Photodynamic Therapy In Liver Cancer

Abstract

Background

It is important to explore effective treatment for liver cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel technique to treat liver cancer, but its clinical application is obstructed by limited depth of visible light penetration into tissue. The near-infrared (NIR) photosensitizer is a potential solution to the limitations of PDT for deep tumor tissue treatment.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate 808 nm NIR light-excited UCNPs@mSiO₂-Ce6-GPC3 nanocomposites for PDT in liver cancer.

Methods

In our study, 808 nm NIR light-excited upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were simultaneously loaded with the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and the antibody glypican-3 (GPC3), which is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The multitasking UCNPs@mSiO₂-Ce6-GPC3 nanoparticles under 808 nm laser irradiation with enhanced depth of penetration would enable the effective targeting of PDT.

Results

We found that the UCNPs@mSiO₂-Ce6-GPC3 nanoparticles had good biocompatibility, low toxicity, excellent cell imaging in HepG2 cancer cells and high anti-tumor effect in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

We believe that the utilization of 808 nm NIR excited UCNPs@mSiO₂-Ce6-GPC3 nanoparticles for PDT is a safe and potential therapeutic option for liver cancer.

Keywords:

• liver cancer
• photodynamic therapy
• upconversion nanoparticles
• 808 nm NIR
• GPC3
• targeted therapy

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81401540), Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students in Heilongjiang Province (201710226080), Yu Weihan Academician’s Outstanding Youth Training Fund in Harbin Medical University, Nn10 program (Nn10 PY 2017-03), Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China (LH2019H044), Youth Elite Training Fund (JY2015-02) and Outstanding Youth Fund (JCQN 2018-04) in Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital. The abstract of this paper was presented at the 17th International Photodynamic Association World Congress as a poster presentation with interim findings.

Disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.