A pH-responsive iridium(III) two-photon photosensitizer loaded CaCO3 nanoplatform for combined Ca2+ overload and photodynamic therapy

Intracellular calcium levels are closely related to cell survival. The disruption of the calcium buffering capacity or an overload of the calcium levels enhances the susceptibility of cells towards external stimuli such as reactive oxygen species. Capitalizing on this, herein, a pH-responsive calcium carbonate nano-platform loaded with Ir(III) complexes (IrCOOH-CaCO3@PEG) for combined calcium overload and two-photon photodynamic therapy is proposed. Notably, the introduction of the carboxyl group is a core factor to improve the loading content of Ir(III) complexes. Upon cellular uptake into cancerous cells, the nanomaterial was found to selectively accumulate in the lysosomes where the acidic environment caused the decomposition of the nanomaterial, releasing the Ir(III) complexes and an excess of calcium ions. The combination of calcium overload and the generation of reactive oxygen species upon irradiation by the Ir complexes generated a high cytotoxic effect. The loaded nanoplatform demonstrated a strong tumor growth inhibition effect in a breast cancer tumor-bearing mouse model upon exposure to deeply penetrating two-photon irradiation at 750 nm. We strongly believe that the Ir(III) complex containing nanoplatform approach we proposed could be a versatile method, and this approach of combining calcium overload therapy and photodynamic therapy holds great potential for cancer therapy.

Automated summary

Intracellular calcium levels are closely related to cell survival. This study proposes a novel nano-platform for calcium overload and two-photon photodynamic therapy, which releases Ir(III) complexes and excess calcium ions, resulting in a high cytotoxic effect. The loaded nanoplatform demonstrates a strong tumor growth inhibition effect in breast cancer.