pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy

Traditional radiotherapy (RT) lacks the precision to distinguish between tumor and normal tissues, leading to inevitable X-ray-induced side effects in patients. Therefore, it is crucial to develop integrated imaging and therapeutic modalities that can reduce side effects on surrounding healthy tissu...

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Main Authors: Lin Zhao, Mengzhen Wang, Yang Sun, Jinpeng Xu, Qinrui Fu, Wenjing Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Materials Today Bio
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425002844
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author Lin Zhao
Mengzhen Wang
Yang Sun
Jinpeng Xu
Qinrui Fu
Wenjing Xiao
author_facet Lin Zhao
Mengzhen Wang
Yang Sun
Jinpeng Xu
Qinrui Fu
Wenjing Xiao
author_sort Lin Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Traditional radiotherapy (RT) lacks the precision to distinguish between tumor and normal tissues, leading to inevitable X-ray-induced side effects in patients. Therefore, it is crucial to develop integrated imaging and therapeutic modalities that can reduce side effects on surrounding healthy tissues while enhancing susceptibility to tumor tissues. In this study, we developed a pH-responsive nanodrug (AuNRs-Mn3O4-Ag2S Ve) by self-assembling the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 950–1700 nm) fluorescent probe Ag2S quantum dots (QDs), multifunctional nanozyme Mn3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), and radiosensitizer gold nanorods (AuNRs) into a single nanoplatform via an emulsion process. This nanodrug enables precise tumor localization for accurately guided RT and multi-angle sensitization of RT. Upon intravenous administration, the nanodrug disintegrates in the tumor area due to the pH-sensitive polymer P4VP, releasing Ag2S QDs which are specifically activated by the acidic environment, thereby “turning on” the NIR-II fluorescence signal. The optimal timing of the NIR-II fluorescence signal within the tumor region after intravenous injection was investigated, providing a reference for guided RT. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the efficient enhancement of tumor radiosensitization by AuNRs and Mn3O4 NPs. The specific imaging modality that transitions the fluorescence signal from “off” to “on” has been successfully implemented, addressing the limitations of conventional RT and enhancing radiosensitivity. The integration of imaging and therapeutic approaches in this study presents a promising modality for image-guided tumor RT.
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spelling doaj-art-d36ffe3d42c049ffa4e80a35fa2f6d9a2025-08-20T02:11:26ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-06-013210172510.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101725pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapyLin Zhao0Mengzhen Wang1Yang Sun2Jinpeng Xu3Qinrui Fu4Wenjing Xiao5Department of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China; Institute of Chronic Disease, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, ChinaInstitute of Chronic Disease, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, ChinaDepartment of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, ChinaDepartment of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, ChinaInstitute of Chronic Disease, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China; Corresponding author.Department of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China; Corresponding author.Traditional radiotherapy (RT) lacks the precision to distinguish between tumor and normal tissues, leading to inevitable X-ray-induced side effects in patients. Therefore, it is crucial to develop integrated imaging and therapeutic modalities that can reduce side effects on surrounding healthy tissues while enhancing susceptibility to tumor tissues. In this study, we developed a pH-responsive nanodrug (AuNRs-Mn3O4-Ag2S Ve) by self-assembling the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 950–1700 nm) fluorescent probe Ag2S quantum dots (QDs), multifunctional nanozyme Mn3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), and radiosensitizer gold nanorods (AuNRs) into a single nanoplatform via an emulsion process. This nanodrug enables precise tumor localization for accurately guided RT and multi-angle sensitization of RT. Upon intravenous administration, the nanodrug disintegrates in the tumor area due to the pH-sensitive polymer P4VP, releasing Ag2S QDs which are specifically activated by the acidic environment, thereby “turning on” the NIR-II fluorescence signal. The optimal timing of the NIR-II fluorescence signal within the tumor region after intravenous injection was investigated, providing a reference for guided RT. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the efficient enhancement of tumor radiosensitization by AuNRs and Mn3O4 NPs. The specific imaging modality that transitions the fluorescence signal from “off” to “on” has been successfully implemented, addressing the limitations of conventional RT and enhancing radiosensitivity. The integration of imaging and therapeutic approaches in this study presents a promising modality for image-guided tumor RT.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425002844RadiotherapyNanodrugpH responsiveNear-infrared-II fluorescence imagingRadiosensitizationCancer
spellingShingle Lin Zhao
Mengzhen Wang
Yang Sun
Jinpeng Xu
Qinrui Fu
Wenjing Xiao
pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy
Materials Today Bio
Radiotherapy
Nanodrug
pH responsive
Near-infrared-II fluorescence imaging
Radiosensitization
Cancer
title pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy
title_full pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy
title_fullStr pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy
title_full_unstemmed pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy
title_short pH-responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near-infrared-II fluorescence image-guided enhanced radiotherapy
title_sort ph responsive nanovesicles capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment enable activatable near infrared ii fluorescence image guided enhanced radiotherapy
topic Radiotherapy
Nanodrug
pH responsive
Near-infrared-II fluorescence imaging
Radiosensitization
Cancer
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425002844
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