An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

This study aimed to create multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs), specifically AS1411@MPDA-Len-Cy5.5 (AMLC), for the purpose of developing effective strategies for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through targeted therapy and photothermal therapy (PTT). The study involved synthesizing mesoporou...

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Main Authors: Yue Yang, Chonggao Wang, Shiwei Liu, Yewei Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590156725000209
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author Yue Yang
Chonggao Wang
Shiwei Liu
Yewei Zhang
author_facet Yue Yang
Chonggao Wang
Shiwei Liu
Yewei Zhang
author_sort Yue Yang
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to create multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs), specifically AS1411@MPDA-Len-Cy5.5 (AMLC), for the purpose of developing effective strategies for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through targeted therapy and photothermal therapy (PTT). The study involved synthesizing mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA)-NPs, loading lenvatinib (Len) and Cy5.5 via incubation, and modifying AS1411 aptamer onto MPDA via a covalent chemical reaction. The NPs were characterized using techniques such as ultra-micro spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Target-specific uptake and cell-killing assays were utilized to evaluate AMLC-mediated synergistic therapy while using Western blotting and immunofluorescence to confirm the underlying mechanism. Consequently, the nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized, demonstrating excellent solvent solubility and stability, with controlled drug release achieved in acidic environments (maximum release efficiency≈80 %). In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that these NPs could more effectively target hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, enhancing the targeting capability of lenvatinib. Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) exhibited significantly improved anticancer efficacy, with AMCL+PTT treatment resulting in up to 76 % tumor volume reduction‌ (P < 0.01). The study demonstrates that AMLC, a multifunctional nano-delivery system, significantly enhances Lenvatinib's tumor-targeting capacity while exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. Combined with photothermal therapy (PTT), it demonstrates potent antitumor efficacy, showing promising clinical translation potential for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-1be6a548e1e1496c86b56e368248f4312025-08-20T02:37:06ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics: X2590-15672025-06-01910033510.1016/j.ijpx.2025.100335An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinomaYue Yang0Chonggao Wang1Shiwei Liu2Yewei Zhang3Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, ChinaMedical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, ChinaMedical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, ChinaMedical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, The Second Affliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Corresponding author at: Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.This study aimed to create multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs), specifically AS1411@MPDA-Len-Cy5.5 (AMLC), for the purpose of developing effective strategies for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through targeted therapy and photothermal therapy (PTT). The study involved synthesizing mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA)-NPs, loading lenvatinib (Len) and Cy5.5 via incubation, and modifying AS1411 aptamer onto MPDA via a covalent chemical reaction. The NPs were characterized using techniques such as ultra-micro spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Target-specific uptake and cell-killing assays were utilized to evaluate AMLC-mediated synergistic therapy while using Western blotting and immunofluorescence to confirm the underlying mechanism. Consequently, the nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized, demonstrating excellent solvent solubility and stability, with controlled drug release achieved in acidic environments (maximum release efficiency≈80 %). In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that these NPs could more effectively target hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, enhancing the targeting capability of lenvatinib. Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) exhibited significantly improved anticancer efficacy, with AMCL+PTT treatment resulting in up to 76 % tumor volume reduction‌ (P < 0.01). The study demonstrates that AMLC, a multifunctional nano-delivery system, significantly enhances Lenvatinib's tumor-targeting capacity while exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. Combined with photothermal therapy (PTT), it demonstrates potent antitumor efficacy, showing promising clinical translation potential for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590156725000209Aptamer-conjugated nanoparticlesMesoporous polydopaminePhotothermal therapyHepatocellular carcinomaLenvatinib
spellingShingle Yue Yang
Chonggao Wang
Shiwei Liu
Yewei Zhang
An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X
Aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles
Mesoporous polydopamine
Photothermal therapy
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Lenvatinib
title An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_fullStr An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_short An aptamer-conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
title_sort aptamer conjugated mesoporous polydopamine formulation for synergistic targeted and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma
topic Aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles
Mesoporous polydopamine
Photothermal therapy
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Lenvatinib
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590156725000209
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