posted on 2024-02-05, 08:43authored byQingxia Li, Jifan Zhang, Yingying Liao, Chutong Liu, Dan Li, Miaomiao Yuan, Xuemei Fu
It
remains challenging to develop an effective therapeutic agent
for breast cancer. Synergistic therapies, particularly chemo-photothermal
therapy, have gained increasing attention in cancer treatment. While
the high working temperature achieved in photothermal therapy can
kill tumor cells, it also causes thermal damage to nearby healthy
cells, limiting the clinical application of chemo-photothermal synergistic
therapy. To address these limitations, we have successfully synthesized
nanoparticles by combining mesoporous polydopamine with atovaquone
(ATO), denoted MPDA-ATO. These nanoparticles (NPs) enable chemo-photothermal
therapy to be conducted at a mildly increased temperature of 46 °C.
The MPDA-ATO NPs exhibit excellent photothermal stability, potent
photothermal conversion properties, and good biocompatibility. In
response to near-infrared radiation (NIR), MPDA-ATO can effectively
kill 4T1 breast tumor cells in vitro and in the synergistic
host. Furthermore, the MPDA-ATO NPs specifically inhibit STAT3, contributing
to the antitumor effect. The treatment combining MPDA-ATO NPs with
NIR could induce the apoptosis of tumor cells. In summary, the MPDA-ATO
NPs offer improved efficacy and safety in treating breast cancer,
providing insights and strategies for improved breast cancer therapy.