Porous Silicon as a Sensitizer for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Abstract Porous silicon (PSi) can activate (sensitize) biochemical reactions and physical processes of the energy dissipation under excitation (stimulus) by light illumination, ultrasound (US), and electromagnetic radiofrequency (RF) irradiation. Photosensitized biochemical effects of PSi layers and nanoparticles (NPs)were explored in numerous physical studies and biomedical experiments in vitro. The photothermal sensitizing with mesoporous PSi NPs was demonstrated to be efficient for the hyperthermia of cancer cells and tumors in small animal models. The sonosensitizing properties of bare PSi NPs and dextran-coated ones were revealed by both the physical studies and biomedical experiments, which indicated a good prospect for their applications in sonodynamic therapy of cancer. RF-induced hyperthermia sensitized by PSi NPs has been successfully used to destroy cancer cells and tumors in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Here, we review the results on the preparation, physical properties, and applications of PSi NPs as sensitizers for mild therapy of cancer.