A scintillating nanoplatform with upconversion function for the synergy of radiation and photodynamic therapies for deep tumors.

Collaborative therapy is regarded as an effective approach in increasing the therapeutic efficacy of cancer. In this work, we have proposed and validated the concept of upconversion lumienscence image guided synergy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiotherapy (RT) for deep cancer, a specially designed nanoplatform integrating near infrared (NIR) light activated luminescence upconversion and X-ray induced scintillation. Upon NIR light irradiation, the nanoplatform emits highly monochromatic red light solely for imaging the targeted cancer cells without triggering therapy; however, when the irradiation turns to a low dose of X-rays, scintillation will occur which induces effectively the PDT destroying the cancer cells together with X-ray induced RT.

Effect of Oxaliplatin-Loaded Poly (d,l-Lactide--Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles Combined with Retinoic Acid and Cholesterol on Apoptosis, Drug Resistance, and Metastasis Factors of Colorectal Cancer.

Apoptosis signaling pathways, drug resistance, and metastasis are important targets to develop new cancer treatments. We developed cholesterol-coated Poly(d,l-Lactide--Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles for effective encapsulation and delivery of retinoic acid and oxaliplatin to analyze their antitumor activity in colorectal cancer. The cell viability and proliferation of tumoral cells lines (CT-26 and SW-480) decreased when compared to control in vitro after treatment with the nanoparticles.

Optical imaging and pH-awakening therapy of deep tissue cancer based on specific upconversion nanophotosensitizers.

Side effect is one of the main factors affecting the success of cancer therapies in clinic. Patients treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) suffer mainly from the phototoxicity due to the relatively long time blood circulation of the tumor enrichment and they have also to be protected from background light for days after the treatment. Here we introduce a new design of nanophotosensitizers in which the luminescence upconversion nanoparticles loaded with photosensitizers are self-assembled into a nanoball with the aid of a specific pH-sensitive polymer layer containing overloaded photosensitizers and quenching molecules.