A multi-stimuli responsive alginate nanogel for anticancer chemo-photodynamic therapy

Stimuli-responsive nanosystems enable highly effective targeting and therapeutic functions, including chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Traditional PDT alone cannot effectively eradicate the tumor burden; combined with chemotherapy, this combination presents a powerful treatment modality to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we report a multi-stimulus responsive alginate nanogel that responds to the change in pH and redox potential in the TME. We coupled oxidized alginate with 4-mercapto phenylboronic acid and pheophorbide-A (a hydrophobic photosensitizer) and conju-gated with adipic acid dihydrazide to design the nanogels. Further, we encapsulated doxorubicin, a cyto-toxic agent, in the nanogel to enable chemotherapy. The alginate nanogel exhibited the pH-sensitive release of both pheophorbide-Aand doxorubicin and simultaneously reduced the redox potential that enhanced PDT by increasing reactive oxygen species production. Our results demonstrate that the multi-stimuli responsive alginate nanogel enhances toxicity in breast cancer and melanoma.(C) 2023 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

We report a multi-stimulus responsive alginate nanogel that responds to changes in pH and redox potential in the tumor microenvironment. Combined with chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT), this nanogel enhances the therapeutic effect in breast cancer and melanoma by releasing a hydrophobic photosensitizer and a cytotoxic agent.