Near-infrared light triggered activation of pro-drug combination cancer therapy and induction of immunogenic cell death

Xuejia Kang, Yuxin Cai, Qi Wang, Chuanyu Wang, Wu Chen, Wen Yang, Amol Suryawanshi, Gang Zhou, Pengyu Chen, Feng Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Disulfiram copper complex [Cu(DDC)2] nanoparticles have been explored as promising anticancer agents but with concerns of toxic side effects. To improve tumor specificity and enhance anticancer efficacy, we developed a novel [copper sulfide nanoparticle (CuS NP) + disulfiram prodrug (DQ) micelle + near-infrared (NIR) laser] (CDL) combination therapy. DQ, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive prodrug, can be selectively activated at the tumor site with elevated ROS to release DDC and form Cu(DDC)2 in situ. The CuS NP + NIR laser treatment can effectively increase the intra-tumor ROS levels and efficiently activate the DQ prodrug. The CDL therapy kills cancer cells through multiple mechanisms, including ROS amplification cascade and Cu(DDC)2 chemotherapy. NIR light-triggered tumor-specific “nontoxic-to-toxic” transition can significantly improve the specificity of anticancer effects and reduce systemic toxicity. Also, CDL therapy can effectively induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and has the potential of eliciting antitumor immunity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number120972
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics
Volume607
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2021

Keywords

  • CuS nanoparticles
  • Disulfiram prodrug
  • Immunogenic cell death (ICD)
  • Near-infrared laser
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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