Biocompatible copper sulfide–based nanocomposites for artery interventional chemo-photothermal therapy of orthotropic hepatocellular carcinoma
X. Li, Hongjun Yuan, Xiangdong Tian, Jing Tang, L.F. Liu, F.Y. Liu
Abstract
Transcatheter arterial embolization has been considered as a promising targeted delivery approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, chemoembolization was the main treatment for unresectable HCC. However, the traditional chemoembolization treatment suffers from undesirable therapeutic effects and serious side-effects. In this study, the doxorubicin (DOX)-encapsulated and near-infrared (NIR)–responsible copper sulfide (CuS)–based nanotherapeutics was developed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–guided chemo-photothermal therapy of HCC tumor in rats. The DOX-loaded CuS nanocomposites ([email protected]) demonstrated distinct NIR-triggered drug release behavior and high photothermal effect. In an orthotopic HCC rat model, [email protected] nanocomposites were selectively delivered to the tumor site via the intra-arterial transcatheter. The proposed [email protected] nanocomposites plus NIR laser irradiation exhibited significant tumor growth suppression performance. Moreover, the treatment progress can be monitored by MRI images. Finally, the preliminary toxicity estimate suggested the negligible side-effect of [email protected] nanocomposites during the therapeutic process. These results suggest the clinical translational potential possibility for imaging-guided arterial embolization with [email protected] nanocomposites for the treatment of HCC.