Polydopamine-activated celastrol carbon dots for synergistic chemotherapy-photothermal therapy of tumors

Ping Sheng; Chao Bu; Tanyue Hui; Lili Zhou; Hao Chen; Guoliang Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.ijpx.2023.100218

Polydopamine-activated celastrol carbon dots for synergistic chemotherapy-photothermal therapy of tumors

Int J Pharm X. 2023 Nov 8:6:100218. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2023.100218. eCollection 2023 Dec 15.

Authors

Ping Sheng¹, Chao Bu¹, Tanyue Hui¹, Lili Zhou¹, Hao Chen¹, Guoliang Zhou¹

Affiliation

¹ College of life and Health Sciences, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.

Abstract

Synergistic chemotherapy and photothermal therapy (PTT) holds the promise of addressing the weakness of individualized chemotherapy and PTT. In this study, we synthesized a chemotherapeutic agent, PDA-Ce-CDs, which combines the photothermal conversion ability and the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), enabling synergistic enhancement of antitumor effects. Furthermore, the localized heating effect of NIR radiation promoted the uptake of the PDA-Ce-CDs and enhances the sensitivity of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, the antitumor activity of the PDA-Ce-CDs was evaluated through cell experiments and tumor-bearing mice experiments, confirming its excellent antitumor efficacy in vivo and in vitro. Our work presents a new strategy in cancer treatment by utilizing carbon dots in combination with photothermal agents for synergistic chemotherapy-photothermal therapy. This innovative approach offers a new therapeutic avenue for synergistic tumor treatment by harnessing the combined effects of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy.

Keywords: Carbon dots combined polydopamine; Celastrol carbon dots; Chemotherapy-photothermal synergistic therapy; Polydopamine.