Sequential Magneto-Actuated and Optics-Triggered Biomicrorobots for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Micro/nanorobots have the potential to be remotely propelled and manipulated in complex biological fluid and organ tissue. However, the combination of the sophisticated physiological barriers, remote-controlled navigation, real-time motion tracking, and diagnostic/therapeutic effects are tremendous challenges for application and translation. An unique sequential magneto-actuated and optics-triggered biomicrorobot (AI microrobot) for actively targeted cancer treatment is prepared. The AI microrobot consists of two components, magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1), providing the ability to autonomously swim toward the tumor site via internal hypoxia-driven effects and an external applied magnetic field, and indocyanine green nanoparticles, acting as a fluorescence imaging agent and photothermal therapy. The AI microrobots are tracked in vivo by fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging. It is found that the AI microrobots can sequentially migrate to the hypoxic internal area of tumors and then effectively eradicate solid tumors through photothermal therapy under NIR laser irradiation. The sequential magneto-actuated and optics-triggered AI microrobots platform described here presents a bioinspired strategy toward remotely controlled propulsion, actively targeted cargo delivery, and satisfactory therapeutic performance in the circulatory system.

Automated summary

Micro/nanorobots have the potential to be remotely propelled and manipulated in complex biological fluid and organ tissue, but face significant challenges in terms of application and translation. An unique AI microrobot has been prepared for actively targeted cancer treatment, showing successful migration to hypoxic internal areas of tumors and effective eradication of solid tumors through photothermal therapy.