New Quantum Dot Hydrogels Combined with near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Light for Phototherapeutical Efficiency and Tumor Targeting in Cancer Therapy
Unveiling the Riddles of Chirality
However, the tissue penetration, tumor accumulation and chiral advantage of conventional phototherapeutic materials[2–6] cannot be fulfilled simultaneously. The Breakthrough: This new study, which has been published in the journal Nano Today, outlines a drastically different solution provided by near-infrared circularly polarized light-response supramolecular biomaterials with advanced chiroptical advantages and photocskase therapeutic performance.
Recently, the research team led by Prof. Chen Xueyuan from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a novel hydrogel termed as quantum dots@poly-L/D-glutamic acid hybrid nano-hydrogel (QDs@L/D-Gel) which was based on copper indium selenide/zinc sulfide (CuInSe2@ZnS QDs), and it can be triggered by 808-nm circularly polarized light. The material presents unique near-infrared chiroptical activity, demonstrating |gabs| (circular dichroism) up to 1.3 × 10-2 and |glum| (circular polarized luminescence) up to 3.4 × 10-3. These remarkable optical characteristics, thus, open the door to developing new strategies for super-efficient and light-activated cancer phototherapies.
Improved Photothermoradical and ROS Production
The enhanced PCE (43%) of QDs@L/D-Gel under 808-nm CP light is one of the main merits. The authors found this resulted in an excellent photo-thermal conversion efficiency -i.e. the material can efficiently convert light energy into heat—allowing it to be used for killing cancer cells via thermal ablation.
Furthermore, the L/D-Gel-capped with FA-QDs@L/D-Gel shows stronger generation of ROS under 808-nm CP light activation than that of QDs@L. ROS are extremely reactive molecules that can destroy tumor cells that optimally improve phototherapeutic performance of the material.
This marked photophysical characteristic together with the intrinsic biocompatibility of the material render the QDs@L/D-Gel a highly potential candidate for future cancer phototherapy technologies.
Conclusion
This is a major advancement in the application of quantum dots to the treatment of cancer. The material exhibits promotion in photothermal conversion efficiency and ROS production all of which originates from near-infrared circularly polarized light stimulation, with sufficient tumor-targeting functions. What makes this novel technique so exciting is that it offers a safer and more precise system in the treatment of cancer. Critical to bringing this technology to the forefront of cancer care will be additional research and clinical trials.
