A powerful antitumor “trident”: the combination of radio-, immuno- and anti-angiogenesis therapy based on mesoporous silica single coated gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Although immunotherapy in combination with anti-angiogenesis therapy has made a breakthrough in the first-line treatment of cancer, considering the low responder rate and the adverse events, it is vital to propose a new combination modality. In this study, we report single encapsulated mesoporous silica coated gold nanoparticles that synergize sensitizing radiotherapy with the current combination therapy. Distinguished from simply combining two treatments, the nanoparticle-mediated “trident” therapy resolved the problem of matching the dose between radiation and drug, which determines the outcome since drug demand rises with immunosuppression from increased sensitivity to radiotherapy. The nanomedicine produced energy depositions when radiation was introduced, and released the loaded toripalimab and bevacizumab, exhibiting significant anti-tumor properties. In vitro tumor cell viability results indicated the highest inhibition by the “trident” therapy and in vivo animal models also revealed the earliest decrease in tumor tissue volume. As a result, the “trident” therapy is expected to further improve the anti-tumor benefits of the combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy and provides a versatile perspective on cancer treatment.