Novel YOF-Based Theranostic Agents with a Cascade Effect for NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging and Synergistic Starvation/Photodynamic Therapy of Orthotopic Gliomas

Accurate diagnosis and highly effective treatment of glioblastoma are still challenges in clinic. Near-infrared (NIR) light triggered fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT) showed the potential for theranostics of glioblastoma, but the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and hypoxia limited treatment effect. Herein, the novel theranostic nanoagents with YOF:Nd3+ as core, MnO2 as shell, and further loading photosensitizer (indocyanine green, ICG) and glucose oxidase (GOx) were successfully constructed, and further modified with lactoferrin to endow them with BBB penetration and target abilities (YOF:Nd3+@MnO2-ICG-GOx-LF, YMIGL). The YOF:Nd3+ core with good fluorescence performances makes YMIGL act as promising probes for fluorescence imaging in the second biowindow (NIR-II FL). The combination of GOx and MnO2 shell significantly increased the O-2 generation from the cascade reactions and consumed glucose, improving the treatment effect of PDT and achieving starvation treatment (ST). These theranostic nanoagents exhibit a highly efficient inhibition effect on orthotopic gliomas by cascade reactions, which improved PDT and ST.

Automated summary

The study successfully constructed novel theranostic nanoagents for fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy of glioblastoma. These nanoagents can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exhibit targeting abilities, while also demonstrating highly efficient therapeutic effects.