Manganese-functionalized MXene theranostic nanoplatform for MRI-guided synergetic photothermal/chemodynamic therapy of cancer

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) nanosheets with high photothermal conversion efficiency as well as photothermal stability can efficiently generate remarkable hyperthermia for photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer. However, mono-MXenes cannot exhibit precise diagnosis and treatment to complete ablation of cancer cells in the PTT process. To overcome this dilemma, an all-in-one nanoplatform of titanium carbide (Ti3C2) MXene-based composite nanosheets is developed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided multi-modal hyperthermia and chemodynamic tumor ablation, which was achieved by bonding of manganese ion on the surface of Ti3C2, and then was the functionalized nanosheets was modified by biocompatible PEG (Mn-Ti3C2@PEG). Due to magnetic and Fenton-like catalytic properties of Mn components, Mn-Ti3C2@PEG not only acted as the contrast agents for T-1-weighted MRI (relaxivity value of 1.05 mM(-1) s(-1)), but also converted cellular H2O2 into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Moreover, Furthermore, Mn-Ti3C2@PEG can efficiently suppressed tumor-growth by PTT, due to the high photothermal conversion capability and photothermal stability. As a proof-of-concept model, the as-designed Mn-Ti3C2@PEG nanoplatform shows simultaneous MRI and dual-modal treatment for effective suppression of tumor with minimized side effects both in vitro and in vivo, indicating the great potential for clinical cancer theranostics.

Automated summary

A new nanoplatform has been developed in this study, which combines manganese ions and biocompatible PEG to give the nanosheets multi-modal functions for thermal therapy and chemodynamic treatment guided by magnetic resonance imaging. The nanosheets can act as contrast agents for T1-weighted MRI and convert cellular H2O2 into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals for chemodynamic therapy.