Ultra-Low Power NIR Laser-Triggered Phototherapy and μCT Imaging of Breast Cancer In Vivo

Abstract

In this study, we utilize bimetal sulfide, copper bismuth sulfide nanocrystals (CBS NCs) as multifunctional theranostic module for noninvasive X-ray contrast imaging and photodynamic therapy. Recently, copper based NCs have garnered immense attention due to their intriguing optical properties, which show great promise in the biomedical arena. Firstly, CBS NCs present a solid absorption in the NIR region. Secondly, polymer hybrid conjugated CBS NCs can themselves serve as therapeutic agents due to the photo/light triggered hyperthermia and/or ROS generation ability. We show that upon NIR irradiation of intravenously CBS administered tumors, photodynamic therapy was instigated at irradiated site, selectively ablating the tumors by absorbing externally applied ultra-low power (10 mW/cm2) NIR light. With their X-ray contrast imaging potential and photodynamic therapeutic effects, we are confident that these CBS NCs will be helpful to image/monitor and simultaneously treat various ailments including from cancer.