WS2 nanosheet as a new photosensitizer carrier for combined photodynamic and photothermal therapy of cancer cells

Nanoscale. 2014 Sep 7;6(17):10394-403. doi: 10.1039/c4nr02453b.

Abstract

We have developed a simple and efficient strategy to fabricate WS2 nanosheets with low toxicity and good water solubility via a liquid exfoliation method by using H2SO4 intercalation and ultrasonication. The as-prepared WS2 nanosheets were employed not only as an NIR absorbing agent for photothermal therapy (PTT) but also as a photosensitizer (PS) carrier for photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to their sheet like structure that offers large surface area to load PS molecules. Moreover, singlet-oxygen generation of the PSs-WS2 complex could be finely controlled by NIR irradiation that could manipulate the PSs release behavior from WS2 nanosheets. The synergistic anti-tumor effect of WS2 nanosheets mediated PDT-PTT was also evaluated carefully and the results clearly showed that the efficacy of combined PDT-PTT treatment of cancer cells is significantly higher than those of PDT-only and PTT-only treatment, indicating enhanced efficiency of the combined therapeutic system. In addition, the WS2 could be used as a computed tomography (CT) contrast agent for bio-imaging since W atoms have strong X-ray attenuation ability, making them a multifunctional theranostic platform for simultaneous imaging-guided diagnosis and therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Methylene Blue / administration & dosage*
  • Methylene Blue / chemistry
  • Nanocapsules / administration & dosage
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry
  • Nanocapsules / ultrastructure
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Particle Size
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / administration & dosage
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tungsten Compounds / chemistry
  • Tungsten Compounds / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Nanocapsules
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Sulfides
  • Tungsten Compounds
  • Methylene Blue