Issue 36, 2023

Anatase TiO2−x and zwitterionic porphyrin polymer-based nanocomposite for enhanced cancer photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy has been used as a treatment option for cancer; however, the existing TiO2 photosensitizer does not have the ability to specifically target cancer cells. This lack of selectivity reduces its effectiveness in overcoming cancer resistance. To improve photodynamic therapy outcomes, an innovative solution is proposed. In this study, we report on the compounding of a zwitterionic covalent organic polymer (COP) with a TiO2 photosensitizer for the first time. The aim is to overcome cancer cellular resistance. A one-pot synthetic strategy, which includes the construction of a porphyrin-based COP has been employed. This strategy has also been applied to the rapid preparation of anatase defective TiO2 (TiO2−x). To improve the hydrophilic and antifouling properties of the polymer, zwitterion L-cysteine has been conjugated with a porphyrin-based COP using a thiol–ene “click chemistry” reaction. The novel zwitterionic porphyrin-based COP has the ability to trigger biodegradation under the acid microenvironment due to the presence of acid-sensitive β-thioether esters. When combined with TiO2−x, the resultant nanocomposite produces an enhanced photodynamic therapy effect for drug-resistant cancer cells under NIR laser irradiation. This is due to the strong mutual sensitization of zwitterionic porphyrin-based COP and TiO2−x. Importantly, the nanocomposite delivery system exhibits excellent cytocompatibility in the dark and has the potential to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis through fluorescence imaging. The results of this study demonstrate the potential application of this alternative nanocomposite delivery system for remote-controllable photodynamic therapy of tumors.

Graphical abstract: Anatase TiO2−x and zwitterionic porphyrin polymer-based nanocomposite for enhanced cancer photodynamic therapy

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 iyn 2023
Accepted
12 avq 2023
First published
15 avq 2023

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 14790-14799

Anatase TiO2−x and zwitterionic porphyrin polymer-based nanocomposite for enhanced cancer photodynamic therapy

J. Li, D. Wei and Q. Fu, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 14790 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR03012A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements