Methods related to cancer immunotherapy are gaining more improvements in recent years. This medical therapy is commonly utilized for patients who have been diagnosed with tumor growth or metastasis. The approach works by stimulating host immune responses of the human body.
Other approaches to oncological treatments, including photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), are processed with much less invasive techniques than conventional chemotherapy.
However, cell death induced by methods based on PTT and PDT could release antigens and molecular patterns linked to damage. This phase allows stimulation in the immune response of a system.
Nano-Based Photoimmunotherapy
A newer photoimmunotherapy modality presents a more promising outcome in cancer therapy. The method is more effective during treatments than the commonly-used single-treatment therapies.
Today, photoimmunotherapy is still being developed through the efforts of many scientists. In a new study, experts found a procedure that could potentially perform a multifunctional and safe photoimmunotherapy approach against tumors and metastasis.
Experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a new way to carry out multifunctional cancer therapy based on nanotechnology. The model functions with a nanoplatform built from mesoporous hexagonal core-shell zinc porphyrin-silica nanoparticles or MPSNs.
The nanoplatform also includes the receptor-7 agonist called the R837, which could help improve outcomes in both PTT and PDT procedures, as well as other tumor-specific approaches that target breast cancer, PhysOrg reports.
The authors integrated the MPSNs with zinc phosphide or ZNP, an inorganic compound built from phosphorus and zinc, and utilized it as the system's core.
The scientists covered the ZNP core with a shell made from a mesoporous silica framework. This would increase the model's efficacy in generating singlet oxygen and converting the collected photon particles to heat with a single light source.
The silica shell's unique mesoporous structure could also help to control the R837 modulation receptor for loading. In simulations, the procedures carried out with MPSNs@R837 showed great outcomes in eliminating primary tumors from specific body areas.
With the improved results with both PTT and PDT phototherapy methods, the MPSNs@R837-based system was also able to get rid of metastasis in the nearby regions of the tumor growth.
Better Than Chemotherapy
The experts concluded that their new model also successfully triggered a stunning immune response through the system's mechanical approach.
The novel anticancer solution uses strategies based on integrating PTT and PDT therapies. Moreover, it utilizes a 'checkpoint blockade' that, combined with both the phytotherapies, could yield great results in suppressing cancer metastasis.
The treatment also gives a better outcome than traditional chemotherapy, allowing damaging side effects during and after sessions due to the high concentration of chemicals used in the treatment.
Common side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, appetite-related problems, and chronic pain. Its severe effects include damage to tissues and nerves, infertility, heart problems, and second cancer risk.
The study was published in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, titled "Light-triggered multifunctional nanoplatform for efficient cancer photo-immunotherapy."
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