title: Pluronic-encapsulated natural chlorophyll nanocomposites for in vivo cancer imaging and photothermal/photodynamic therapies.
abstract: A great challenge in developing nanotechnologies for cancer diagnosis and therapy has been the combined functionalities required for complicated clinical procedures. Among all requirements, toxicity has been the major hurdle that has prevented most of the nano-carriers from clinical use. Here, we extracted chlorophyll (Chl) from vegetable and encapsulated it into polymer (pluronic F68, Plu) micelles for cancer imaging and therapy. The results showed that the Chl-containing nanocomposites were capable of mouse tumor targeting, and the nanocomposite fluorescence within the tumor sites remained at high intensity more than two days after tail-vein injection. It is interesting that oral administration with the nanocomposites was also successful for tumor target imaging. Furthermore, the dietary Chl was found to be able to efficiently convert near-infrared laser irradiation to heat. The growths of melanoma cells and mouse tumors were effectively inhibited after being treated with the nanocomposites and irradiation. The suppression of the tumors was achieved by laser-triggered photothermal and photodynamic synergistic effects of Chl. As a natural substance from vegetable, Chl is non-toxic, making it an ideal nano-carrier for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Based on the results of this research, the Plu-Chl nanocomposites have shown promise for future clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, PR China. Electronic address: mqchu98@tongji.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Maoquan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy Science, Shanghai 201800, PR China.
authors.forename: Haikuo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
authors.forename: Fangjie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wo
authors.affiliation: The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, PR China; The Materials Science and Engineering Program, Dept of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0072, USA.
authors.forename: Donglu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D007834:Lasers; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008823:Micelles; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008823:Micelles; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D020442:Poloxamer; D002734:Chlorophyll
keywords: Dietary chlorophyll; In vivo cancer imaging; Organic nanocomposites; Photodynamic therapy; Photothermal therapy