Category: Publications

On April 9th, our recently work about the DNA origami device which can spatially control CD95 signalling to induce immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis was accepted by Nature Materials. This is our first paper in Nature Materials this year, and we will be dedicated to developing more therapeutic nanodevices for disease treatment in the future. DNA origami is capable of spatially organizing molecules into sophisticated geometric patterns with nanometric precision. Here we describe a reconfigurable, two-dimensional DNA origami with geometrically patterned CD95 ligands that regulates immune cell signalling to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis. In response to pH changes, the device reversibly

Abstract The metabolic reprogramming of tumors requires high levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to maintain therapeutic resistance, posing a major challenge for photothermal therapy (PTT). Although raising the temperature helps in tumor ablation, it frequently leads to severe side effects. Therefore, improving the therapeutic response and promoting healing are critical considerations in the development of PTT. Here, we proposed a gas-mediated energy remodeling strategy to improve mild PTT efficacy while minimizing side effects. In the proof-of-concept study, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor was developed to provide a sustained supply of H2S to tumor sites,

Abstract Phototherapy-induced hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is responsible for diminished therapeutic efficacy. Designing an intelligent nanosystem capable of responding to hypoxia for TME-responsive drug delivery will, to some extent, improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Semiconducting polymers with high photothermal conversion efficiency and photostability have tremendous potential as phototheranostics. In this paper, hypoxia-activatable tirapazamine (TPZ) was conjugated onto poly(ethylene glycol) to form a pH-sensitive poly-prodrug, PEG–TPZ, that can be triggered by the low acidity of the TME to cleave the acylamide bond for controllable drug release. PEG–TPZ was then used to encapsulate a semiconducting polymer (TDPP)

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the safety, kinetics, and dosimetry of the 177Lu-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) small molecules 177Lu-PSMA I&T and 177Lu-PSMA-617 in a large cohort of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) undergoing PSMA radioligand therapy (PRLT). Methods: In total, 138 patients (mean age, 70 ± 9 y; age range, 46–90 y) with progressive mCRPC and PSMA expression verified by 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT underwent PRLT. Fifty-one patients received 6.1 ± 1.0 GBq (range, 3.4–7.6 GBq) of 177Lu-PSMA I&T, and 87 patients received 6.5 ± 1.1 GBq (range, 3.5–9.0 GBq) of 177Lu-PSMA-617. Dosimetry was performed on all patients using an identical protocol. The mean absorbed doses were estimated

Abstract Organic fluorophores in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) range have been validated as attractive imaging tools in biomedical research owing to their biocompatibility, flexible chemical structure, and tunable spectra. This Review systematically summarizes recent advances in the chemistry, design principles, and optical properties of NIR-II organic contrast agents. Read More: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.202114722

Abstract Emerging as a potent anticancer treatment, subcellular targeted cancer therapy has drawn increasing attention, bringing great opportunities for clinical application. Here, two targeting strategies for four main subcellular organelles (mitochondria, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleus), including molecule- and nanomaterial (inorganic nanoparticles, micelles, organic polymers, and others)-based targeted delivery or therapeutic strategies, are summarized. Phototherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and “all-in-one” combination therapy are among the strategies covered in detail. Such materials are constructed based on the specific properties and relevant mechanisms of organelles, enabling the elimination of tumors by inducing dysfunction in the corresponding organelles or destroying specific structures. The

Abstract Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in regulating tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, and constitute approximately 50% of tumor mass. TAMs can exist in two different subtypes, M1-polarized phenotype (pro-inflammatory and immunostimulatory) and M2-polarized phenotype (immunosuppressive myeloid cells). M2 macrophages can suppress CD8+ T cells to support tumor survival. A number of biological strategies aimed at engineering macrophages to modulate the tumor immune microenvironment remain at the forefront of cancer research. Here, we review the different therapeutic strategies that have been developed based on nanotechnology to modulate macrophage functions, such as inhibition of macrophage recruitment to tumor, depletion of M2-polarized

Abstract X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy utilizes penetrating X-rays to activate reactive oxygen species in deep tissues for cancer treatment, which combines the advantages of photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy. Conventional therapy usually requires heavy-metal-containing inorganic scintillators and organic photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen. Here, we report a more convenient strategy for X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy based on a class of organic phosphorescence nanoscintillators, that act in a dual capacity as scintillators and photosensitizers. The resulting low dose of 0.4 Gy and negligible adverse effects demonstrate the great potential for the treatment of deep tumours. These findings provide an optional route that leverages the optical

The field of cancer nanomedicine seeks to overcome the inherent shortcomings of conventional cancer diagnostics and therapies. Yet despite the surge of interest in and attractive attributes of nanotechnologies, challenges remain in their clinical translation, prompting some to argue that they have not yet reached their true potential. In this Viewpoint article, we asked four experts for their opinions on how we can fulfil the great promise of nanomedicine for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer.   Read More: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41568-022-00496-9

Abstract Biomedical fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 100–1700 nm) window provides great potential for visualizing physiological and pathological processes, owing to the reduced tissue absorption, scattering, and autofluorescence. Various types of NIR-II probes have been reported in the past decade. Among them, NIR-II organic/inorganic nanohybrids have attracted widespread attention due to their unique properties by integrating the advantages of both organic and inorganic species. Versatile organic/inorganic nanohybrids provide the possibility of realizing a combination of functions, controllable size, and multiple optical features. This tutorial review summarizes the reported organic and inorganic species in nanohybrids, and their biomedical applications