Antiangiogenesis-Combined Photothermal Therapy in the Second Near-Infrared Window at Laser Powers Below the Skin Tolerance Threshold

Photothermal agents with strong light absorption in the second near-infrared(NIR-II)region(1000-1350 nm)are strongly desired for successful photothermal therapy(PTT).In this work,titania-coated Au nanobipyramids(NBP@TiO2)with a strong plasmon resonance in the NIR-II window were synthesized.The NBP@TiO2 nanostructures have a high photothermal conversion efficiency of(93.3±5.2)%under 1064-nm laser irradiation.They are also capable for loading an anticancer drug combretastatin A-4 phosphate(CA4P).In vitro PTT studies reveal that 1064-nm laser irradiation can efficiently ablate human lung cancer A549 cells and enhance the anticancer effect of CA4P.Moreover,the CA4P-loaded NBP@TiO2 nanostructures combined with PTT induce a synergistic antiangiogenesis effect.In vivo studies show that such CA4Ploaded NBP@TiO2 nanostructures under mild 1064-nm laser irradiation at an optical power density of 0.4 W cm?2,which is lower than the skin tolerance threshold value,exhibit a superior antitumor effect.This work presents not only the development of the NBP@TiO2 nanostructures as a novel photothermal agent responsive in the NIR-II window but also a unique combined chemo-photothermal therapy strategy for cancer therapy.

Enhanced anti-cancer effect of gambogic acid by gold nanorod-based delivery

OBJECTIVE Nanotechnology provides a novel strategy for the delivery of anticancer drugs.In this study,titanium dioxide coated gold nanorod(GNR/TiO_2) nanostructures were used as the drug carrier for gambogic acid in order to improve its anticancer effect.METHODS Biocompatibility and cellular uptake of GNR/TiO_2 nanostructures were studied in human glioblastoma U-87 MG cells.Cell viability was evaluated by ATP assay and calcein AM staining.Lyso Sensor Green DND-189 and Hoechst 33342 were used to analyze the intracellular location of GNR/TiO_2 nanostructures.The in vitro anti-cancer effect of gambogic acid loaded nanoparticles was compared with free drug.RESULTS The results showed that GNR/TiO_2 nanostructures are biocompatible,and they are localized at the intracellular acidic compartments of endosomes and lysosomes.The intracellular drug content delivered via GNR/TiO_2 nanostructures was 6 fold higher than the free form,thus dramatically enhancing the anticancer effect of gambogic acid.Furthermore,mild photothermal therapy also showed synergistic effect with the drug.CONCLUSION Our study suggested that GNR/TiO_2 nanostructures can be considered as a promising anticancer drug carrier.

穴位效应与神经免疫调控

In recent years,research on acupoints has made significant progresses.Studies on acupoint sensitization have suggested that various changes would appear in specific acupoints in pathological state,including abnormal sensation,tissue deformation,expansion of the acupoint regions,and increased expression of painrelated substances.