Infrared-Emitting Multimodal Nanostructures for Controlled In Vivo Magnetic Hyperthermia.

Deliberate and local increase of the temperature within solid tumors represents an effective therapeutic approach. Thermal therapies embrace this concept leveraging the capability of some species to convert the absorbed energy into heat. To that end, magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that can effectively dissipate the energy absorbed under alternating magnetic fields. However, MNPs fail to provide real-time thermal feedback with the risk of unwanted overheating and impeding on-the-fly adjustment of the therapeutic parameters. Localization of MNPs within a tissue in an accurate, rapid, and cost-effective way represents another challenge for increasing the efficacy of MHT. In this work, MNPs are combined with state-of-the-art infrared luminescent nanothermometers (LNTh; Ag2 S nanoparticles) in a nanocapsule that simultaneously overcomes these limitations. The novel optomagnetic nanocapsule acts as multimodal contrast agents for different imaging techniques (magnetic resonance, photoacoustic and near-infrared fluorescence imaging, optical and X-ray computed tomography). Most crucially, these nanocapsules provide accurate (0.2 °C resolution) and real-time subcutaneous thermal feedback during in vivo MHT, also enabling the attainment of thermal maps of the area of interest. These findings are a milestone on the road toward controlled magnetothermal therapies with minimal side effects.

Reaching Deeper: Absolute In Vivo Thermal Reading of Liver by Combining Superbright Ag2S Nanothermometers and In Silico Simulations.

Luminescent nano-thermometry is a fast-developing technique with great potential for in vivo sensing, diagnosis, and therapy. Unfortunately, it presents serious limitations. The luminescence generated by nanothermometers, from which thermal readout is obtained, is strongly distorted by the attenuation induced by tissues. Such distortions lead to low signal levels and entangle absolute and reliable thermal monitoring of internal organs. Overcoming both limitations requires the use of high-brightness luminescent nanothermometers and adopting more complex approaches for temperature estimation. In this work, it is demonstrated how superbright Ag2S nanothermometers can provide in vivo, reliable, and absolute thermal reading of the liver during laser-induced hyperthermia. For that, a new procedure is designed in which thermal readout is obtained from the combination of in vivo transient thermometry measurements and in silico simulations. The synergy between in vivo and in silico measurements has made it possible to assess relevant numbers such as the efficiency of hyperthermia processes, the total heat energy deposited in the liver, and the relative contribution of Ag2S nanoparticles to liver heating. This work provides a new way for absolute thermal sensing of internal organs with potential application not only to hyperthermia processes but also to advanced diagnosis and therapy.

Ultra-high FRET efficiency NaGdF4: Tb3+-Rose Bengal biocompatible nanocomposite for X-ray excited photodynamic therapy application.

The limitation of light penetration depth invalidates the application of photodynamic therapy in deep-seated tumors. X-ray excited photodynamic therapy (X-PDT), which is based on X-rays excited luminescent nanoparticles (XLNP), provides a new strategy for PDT in deep tissues. However, the high X-ray dosage used and non-specific cytotoxicity of the nanoparticle-photosensitizer nanocomposite (NPs-PS) hamper in-vivo X-PDT applications. To address these problems, a simple and efficient NPs-PS nanocomposite using ß-NaGdF4: Tb3+ nanoparticles and widely used PS called Rose Bengal (RB) was designed. With perfectly matched spectrum of NPs emission and RB absorption upon X-ray excitation and covalent conjugation of a large amount of RB on NP surfaces to minimize the energy transfer distance, the system demonstrated ultra-high FRET efficiency up to 99.739%, which leads to maximum production of singlet oxygen for PDT with significantly increased anti-tumor efficacy. By 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid surface modification of NPs, excellent biocompatibility was achieved even at a high concentration of 1 mg/mL. The in-vivo X-PDT efficacy was found around 90% of HepG2 tumor growth inhibition with X-ray dose of only 1.5 Gy, which shows the best anti-tumor efficacy at same X-ray dose level reported so far. The present work provides a promising platform for in-vivo X-PDT in deep tumors.