Synergistic Enhancement of Photodynamic Cancer Therapy with Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Theranostic Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles engineered to combat cancer and other life-threatening diseases may significantly improve patient outcomes. However, inefficient nanoparticle delivery to tumors limits their use and necessitates the development of complex delivery approaches. Here, we examine this issue by harnessing the tumor-homing abilities of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to deliver a decoupled theranostic complex of rare earth-doped nanoparticles (dNPs) and photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) to tumors. We show that both bone-marrow- and skin-derived MSCs can transport the dNP-Ce6 complex inside tumor spheroids, which is challenging to accomplish by passive delivery alone. MSCs deliver the dNP-Ce6 complex across the tumor spheroid, facilitating more effective photodynamic damage and tumor destruction than passively accumulated dNP-Ce6. The dNP-Ce6 complex also provides the built-in ability to monitor the MSC migration without causing undesired phototoxicity, which is essential for maximal and side-effect-free delivery of nanoparticles. Our results demonstrate how MSCs can be used as delivery vehicles for the transportation of the dNP-Ce6 complex, addressing the limitations of passive nanoparticle delivery and providing light-based theranostics.
Authors
- Vilius Poderys (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9504-3403)
- Ilona Uzielienè (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5484-9163)
- Riccardo Marin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3270-892X)
- Evelina Kazlauskė (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6088-9495)
- Daniel Jaque (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3225-0667)
- Dainius Daunoravičius (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5711-5162)
- Greta Butkiene (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3244-4979)
- Ričardas Rotomskis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0825-4884)
- Artiom Skripka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4060-4290)
- Vitalijus Karabanovas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5029-8840)
- Fiorenzo Vetrone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3222-3052)
- Simona Steponkienė (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3469-0543)
- Aleja Marija Daugelaite (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6921-8933)
Institutions
- Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (LT)
- Vilnius University (LT)
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (CA)
- State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine (LT)
- Regroupement Québécois sur les Matériaux de Pointe (CA)
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (ES)
- National Cancer Institute (LT)
- Centre québécois sur les matériaux fonctionnels
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
- Published
- 2024-09-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c10098
- Citations
- 10
- Primary Topic
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.84
Funders
- Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada