Transcytosis-Inducing Multifunctional Albumin Nanomedicines with Deep Penetration Ability for Image-Guided Solid Tumor Treatment

Transcytosis is an active transcellular transportation pathway that has garnered interest for overcoming the limited deep penetration of nanomedicines in solid tumors. In this study, a charge-convertible nanomedicine that facilitates deep penetration into solid tumors via transcytosis is designed. It is an albumin-based calcium phosphate nanomedicine loaded with IR820 (mAlb-820@CaP) for high-resolution photoacoustic imaging and enhanced photothermal therapy. Biomineralization on the surface stabilizes the albumin-IR820 complex during circulation and provides calcium ions (Ca2+) for tissue penetration on degradation in an acidic environment. pH-triggered transcytosis of the nanomedicine enabled by caveolae-mediated endocytosis and calcium ion-induced exocytosis in 2D cellular, 3D spheroid, and in vivo tumor models is demonstrated. Notably, the extravasation and penetration ability of the nanomedicine is observed in vivo using a high-resolution photoacoustic system, and nanomedicine shows the most potent photothermal antitumor effect in vivo. Overall, the strategy provides a versatile theragnosis platform for both noninvasive photoacoustic imaging and high therapeutic efficiency resulting from deep penetration of nanomedicine.

Automated summary

This study designs a charge-convertible nanomedicine that facilitates deep penetration into solid tumors via transcytosis, providing a versatile theragnosis platform for noninvasive photoacoustic imaging and high therapeutic efficiency. The nanomedicine is an albumin-based calcium phosphate nanomedicine loaded with IR820 for high-resolution photoacoustic imaging and enhanced photothermal therapy. The pH-triggered transcytosis of the nanomedicine enabled by caveolae-mediated endocytosis and calcium ion-induced exocytosis is demonstrated in cellular, spheroid, and in vivo tumor models.