High-Efficiency, Short-Pulse Electrothermal Cancer Therapy Utilizing Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-) Based Titanium Carbide (Ti3C2) MXene Nanomaterials

Abstract

Thermal agents in cancer therapy have exhibited promising results in clinical investigations. Nevertheless, the rapid degradation of thermal agents limits the efficacy of thermal ablation, while thermal agents exhibiting higher thermal ablation capabilities degrade at a comparatively slower rate. Here, the current work has controlled the thermal character of PEG-based titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂) nanosheets, and developed an integrated platform for cancer therapy aimed at mitigating the limitations associated with thermal agents. The assembly of PEG onto Ti₃C₂, in conjunction with the substantial current flow along the Ti₃C₂ nanosheets, improves thermal ablation through Joule heating mechanisms. The findings from degradation studies reveal that the Ti─O structural oxidation plays a significant role in facilitating the preservation of rapid degradation time. A relative cell viability of 49% was attained, alongside an input pulse length of 5 µs. The Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets also facilitate the development of a sensitive and rapid sensor platform for the early detection of cancer cells. This investigation introduces an optimal thermal agent that addresses existing limitations and provides evidence of concept for Ti₃C₂-based materials in the context of highly efficient electrothermal cancer therapy.