Nanoparticle-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for enhanced anti-tumor effect

• Main Author: Li, Yunsha.
• Other Authors: Li Changming
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Medicine::Tissue engineering; DRNTU::Engineering::Nanotechnology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45284
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that utilizes light and photosensitizers to treat a variety of diseases. However, due to tumor drug resistance, cancer cells utilize multiple mechanisms to prevent the accumulation of anti-cancer drugs at their intracellular site of action. In this project, Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2 nanorattles combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methylene blue (MB) was designed to investigate its anti-cancer efficiency in vitro. Positively charged MB was loaded onto negatively charged Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2 nanorattles through electrostatic interactions, and the results showed that the MB-loaded Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2 nanorattles exhibited greater phototoxicity than free MB due to the increased cell uptake of anti-cancer drug delivery vehicles. Moreover, for controlled release investigation, the release profile indicated that the interaction between MB and Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2 nanorattles was weakened in acidic environments. Based on these findings, it is proposed that PDT mediated by Fe3O4@SiO2@SiO2 nanorattles has potential for enhanced anti-tumor effect.