Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4752260 Biomaterials 2017 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) induced hypoxia can significantly upregulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at the tumor-stromal interface, resulting in a promoted angiogenesis. Thus, an angiogenesis vessel-targeting nanoparticle (AVT-NP) consisting of photosensitizer, angiogenic vessel-targeting peptide, and bioreductive prodrug is developed for a chemo-photo synergistic cancer therapy, with which anti-cancer effect is achieved first by PDT and immediately followed with hypoxia-activated cytotoxic free radicals. With targeting capability, the AVT-NPs can effectively accumulate at the tumor site due to the promoted angiogenesis in response to PDT-induced hypoxia. The more nanoparticles delivered to the tumor tissue, the higher efficacy of PDT can be achieved, resulting in a more severe hypoxia and increased angiogenesis. Therefore, the prodrug embedded AVT-NP functions as a positive feedback amplifier in the combinational chemo-photo treatment and indeed achieves an enhanced anti-tumor effect in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

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Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Bioengineering
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