Cu2(OH)PO4@PAA Nanoparticles for Highly Effective Combination of Chemodynamic, Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapies Against Bladder Cancer.

Abstract

Background: Due to the complex structure and variable microenvironment in the progression of bladder cancer, the efficacy of traditional treatment methods such as surgery and chemotherapy is limited. Tumor residual, recurrence and metastasis are still difficult to treat. The integration of diagnosis and treatment based on nanoparticles can offer the potential for precise tumor localization and real-time therapeutic monitoring. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) under laser irradiation, can be effectively combined with photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) to target non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors. In this study, Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA nanoparticles with photoacoustic (PA) imaging capabilities were utilized to explore their potential for precise intraoperative tumor identification and multimodal therapy.

Methods: The generation of ROS was detected to evaluate the potential of PDT and copper ion-induced CDT. Additionally, the PA imaging capability and biosafety of the nanoparticles were systematically evaluated. Finally, the anti-tumor efficacy of Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA-mediated CDT/PDT/PTT and the underlying mechanisms were assessed in vitro and in vivo.

Results: Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA could implement the CDT effect through a Cu⁺-induced Fenton-like reaction and substantial consumption of glutathione (GSH). Besides, Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA could execute NIR-I-triggered PDT by generating ¹O₂ and thermal images showed that Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA has the potential to perform PTT through light-heat energy conversion. Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA possessed dose-dependent PA signal transduction ability. Without laser exposure, Cu₂(OH)PO₄@PAA weakened cell viability, induced apoptosis, and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by exhibiting the CDT effect alone. However, after the introduction of PDT and/or PTT, the above anti-tumor effects were significantly enhanced.

Conclusion: This study systematically explores the combined anti-cancer mechanisms from the perspective of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, providing a theoretical and technical foundation for bladder cancer treatment.