A novel theranostic nanoplatform for imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is highly malignant and invasive, and current treatments are limited due to serious side effects and unsatisfactory outcomes. Here, we reported the terbium ion-doped hydroxyapatite (HATb) nanoparticle as a luminescent probe to encapsulate both the near-infrared (NIR) photothermal agent polydopamine (PDA) and anticancer doxorubicin (DOX) for imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy. The morphology, crystal structure, fluorescence, and composition of HATb-PDA-DOX were characterized. HATb-PDA showed a high DOX loading capacity. A theranostic nanoplatform showed pH/NIR responsive release properties and better antitumor outcomes in OSCC cells than monomodal chemotherapy or photothermal therapy, while keeping side effects at a minimum. Also, the luminescence signal was confirmed to be tracked and the increase of the red/green (R/G) ratio caused by the DOX release could be used to monitor the DOX release content. Furthermore, HATb-PDA-DOX plus NIR treatment synergistically promoted in vitro cell death through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell cycle arrest, and increased cell apoptosis. Overall, this work presents an innovative strategy in designing a multifunctional nano-system for imaging-guided cancer treatment.
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PDA nanoparticles act as highly efficient photothermal agents owing to their strong near-infrared light absorption and excellent photothermal conversion capability.
“In the context of photothermal therapy (PTT), PDA nanoparticles act as highly efficient photothermal agents owing to their strong near-infrared light absorption and excellent photothermal conversion capability.79”
From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [79]
In vitro antibacterial assays, simplified biofilm models, release studies, and selected animal models show that PDA-based systems can achieve biofilm inhibition, ROS regulation, localized drug release, photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial effects, and inflammation control.
“In vitro antibacterial assays, simplified biofilm models, release studies, and selected animal models show biofilm inhibition, ROS regulation, localized drug release, photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial effects, and inflammation control.”
From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [79]
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Yang, Z., Song, W., Lv, L., Zhai, S., Liu, Y., Cui, H., Li, X., Gao, F., & Chu, S. (2026) · International Journal of Nanomedicine · doi:10.2147/ijn.s611922
“79 Following intravenous or local administration, PDA nanoparticles preferentially accumulate within tumor tissues, benefiting from the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect.”
Self-citation
- Authors
- Gu, M., Jiang, L., Hao, L., Lu, J., Liu, Z., Lei, Z., Li, Y., Hua, C., Li, W., & Li, X.
- Affiliations
- Sichuan University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Li, Wei
- Li, Xiyu
- Venue
- Journal of Materials Chemistry B
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Published
- 2021
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 30
- Pages
- 6006-6016
- ISSN
- 2050-750X (ISSN-L)
- 2050-7518
- OpenAlex
- W3206172302
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Materials Chemistry B (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (32071335)
- Sichuan University (RCDWJS2020-9)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- Keywords
- oral squamous cell carcinoma, theranostic nanoplatform, luminescent probes, near-infrared photothermal therapy, polydopamine, doxorubicin, chemo-photothermal therapy, pH-responsive drug release, fluorescence imaging, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest
- MeSH terms
- Theranostic Nanomedicine, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, Photothermal Therapy, Animals, Antibiotics, Antineoplastic, Cell Survival, Cells, Cultured, Doxorubicin, Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor, Humans, Indoles, Mouth Neoplasms, Polymers, Terbium, Apoptosis, Photosensitizing Agents, Reactive Oxygen Species, Durapatite, Mice, Nanoparticles, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Optical Imaging
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