NIR irradiation-controlled drug release utilizing injectable hydrogels containing gold-labeled liposomes for the treatment of melanoma cancer
Ji Eun Won, Tae In Wi, Chan Mi Lee, Ju Hyeong Lee, Tae Heung Kang, Jeong‐Won Lee, Byung Cheol Shin, YeongJoo Lee, Yeong‐Min Park, Hee Dong Han
Abstract
Drug-based chemotherapy is associated with serious side effects. We developed a chemotherapeutic system comprising a chitosan hydrogel (CH-HG) containing gold cluster-labeled liposomal doxorubicin (DOX) (CH-HG-GLDOX) as an injectable drug depot system. CH-HG-GLDOX can be directly injected into tumor tissue without a surgical procedure, allowing this system to act as a reservoir for liposomal DOX. CH-HG-GLDOX enhanced the retention time of DOX in tumor tissue and controlled its release in response to near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, resulting in significant inhibition of tumor growth and reduced DOX-related toxicity. The combined effect of CH-HG-GLDOX and poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle-based vaccines increased cytotoxic CD8+ T cell immunity, leading to enhanced synergistic therapeutic efficacy. CH-HG-GLDOX provides an advanced therapeutic approach for local drug delivery and controlled release of DOX, resulting in reduced toxicity. Here, we suggest a combination strategy for chemo- and immunotherapies, as well as in nanomedicine applications. We developed an injectable hydrogel containing gold cluster-labeled liposomes for sustained drug release at the tumor site. Moreover, we demonstrated the combined therapeutic efficacy of a hydrogel system and a nanoparticle-based immunotherapeutic vaccine for melanoma cancer. Thus, we show a potential combination approach for chemo- and immunotherapies for cancer treatment.