Combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy delivered by PEGylated MoS2 nanosheets

Nanoscale. 2014 Oct 7;6(19):11219-25. doi: 10.1039/c4nr03753g.

Abstract

Single- or few-layered transitional metal dichalcogenides, as a new genus of two-dimensional nanomaterials, have attracted tremendous attention in recent years, owing to their various intriguing properties. In this study, chemically exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets are modified with lipoic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol (LA-PEG), obtaining PEGylated MoS2 (MoS2-PEG) with high stability in physiological solutions and no obvious toxicity. Taking advantage of its ultra-high surface area, the obtained MoS2-PEG is able to load a photodynamic agent, chlorin e6 (Ce6), by physical adsorption. In vitro experiments reveal that Ce6 after being loaded on MoS2-PEG shows remarkably increased cellular uptake and thus significantly enhanced photodynamic therapeutic efficiency. Utilizing the strong, near-infrared (NIR) absorbance of the MoS2 nanosheets, we further demonstrate photothermally enhanced photodynamic therapy using Ce6-loaded MoS2-PEG for synergistic cancer killing, in both in vitro cellular and in vivo animal experiments. Our study presents a new type of multifunctional nanocarrier for the delivery of photodynamic therapy, which, if combined with photothermal therapy, appears to be an effective therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects
  • Chlorophyllides
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemical synthesis
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Diffusion
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Disulfides / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Molybdenum / chemistry
  • Molybdenum / therapeutic use*
  • Nanocapsules / administration & dosage
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry*
  • Nanocapsules / ultrastructure
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / administration & dosage
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Phototherapy / methods
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Porphyrins / administration & dosage
  • Porphyrins / chemistry
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Chlorophyllides
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Disulfides
  • Nanocapsules
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • phytochlorin
  • Molybdenum
  • molybdenum disulfide