Sensitization of hypoxic tumor to photodynamic therapy via oxygen self-supply of fluorinated photosensitizers.

Sensitization of hypoxic tumor to photodynamic therapy via oxygen self-supply of fluorinated photosensitizers. Biomacromolecules. 2019 Nov 11;: Authors: Liu Z, Xue Y, Wu M, Yang G, Lan M, Zhang W Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes photosensitizers to convert innoxious oxygen to cytotoxic reactive oxygen species under an appropriate light thus induce cancer cells necrosis. However, PDT performs in an oxygen-dependent method to destroy cells while hypoxia is a feature for most solid tumors. To effectively improve the PDT effect against solid tumors, an oxygen self-supplying and pH-sensitive therapeutic nanoparticle (PTFC) has been developed by the self-assembly of a tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) chlorin (TFPC)-conjugated block copolymer (POEGMA-b-P(DEAEMA-co-GMA)). PTFC nanoparticles can transport oxygen to tumor site with their accumulation in tumor on account of the good oxygen solubility, therefore relieving the oxygen deficiency of solid tumor and enhancing the PDT efficacy. It's worth noting that the oxygen loading was realized by fluorinated photosensitizer itself. In addition, the phototoxicity of PTFC nanoparticles is greatly improved in an acidic aqueous environment due to the DEAEMA unit protonation, which not only enhanced the cellular uptake of nanoparticles but also weakened the aggregation of photosensitizers. Taking the hypoxia and acidic microenvironment of solid tumors, PTFC nanoparticles could be efficiently t...
Source: Biomacromolecules - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Biomacromolecules Source Type: research