Key points from article :
Phototherapy with liquid metals (LM) like gallium (Ga) is better than traditional cancer therapy due to its high repeatability, specificity, and few side effects.
Researchers synthesized multifunctional Ga-based nanoparticles that integrate cancer phototherapy with immunotherapy.
Novel LM nanoparticle (PEG-IMIQ-LM) includes immunological modulator imiquimod (IMIQ) and eutectic Ga-indium (EGaIn) LM alloy within a biocompatible surfactant DSPE-PEG2000-NH2.
Water-dispersible LM nanoparticles were made via a one-step sonication process using DSPE-PEG2000-NH2 to initiate IMIQ.
LM disintegrates to guarantee IMIQ delivery to the target; increase in absorbance at near-infrared region (808 nm) verifies its optically activatable nature.
PEG-IMIQ-LM nanoparticle was verified as a strong and stable photothermal drug carrier, which is ideal for immunotherapy.
LM nanoparticles were safe with no cytotoxicity in mouse colon cancer (Colon26) and human fibroblast (MRC5) cells.
Fluorescent (FL) microscopy proved that LM particles could also allow real-time tracking and removal of particular cancer cells.
Addition of Anti-PD-L1 antibody allowed the binding of the LM particle to cancer cells, thereby marking them for phagocytosis.
Tumor surface temperature went up linearly with rising time post-irradiation, indicative of the antitumor effect of the nanoparticle.
Laser-induced Anti-PD-L1–PEG–IMIQ–LM particles showed full cancer removal, with quicker healing and recovery.
In tumor recurrence, mice treated with these laser-induced particles had prolonged survival and sustained antitumor effectiveness.
Study led by Eijiro Miyako from JAIST, published in Advanced Functional Materials.
