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Nanocomposite‐Based Photodynamic Therapy Strategies for Deep Tumor Treatment
Author(s) -
Hu Jun,
Tang Yong'an,
Elmenoufy Ahmed H.,
Xu Huibi,
Cheng Zhen,
Yang Xiangliang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201501923
Subject(s) - photodynamic therapy , nanocarriers , materials science , nanotechnology , treatment modality , afterglow , nanocomposite , nanomaterials , in vivo , nanoparticle , medicine , biomedical engineering , chemistry , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , physics , organic chemistry , gamma ray burst , astronomy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an emerging clinically approved modality, has been used for treatment of various cancer diseases. Conventional PDT strategies are mainly focused on superficial lesions because the wavelength of illumination light of most clinically approved photosensitizers (PSs) is located in the UV/VIS range that possesses limited tissue penetration ability, leading to ineffective therapeutic response for deep‐seated tumors. The combination of PDT and nanotechnology is becoming a promising approach to fight against deep tumors. Here, the rapid development of new PDT modalities based on various smartly designed nanocomposites integrating with conventionally used PSs for deep tumor treatments is introduced. Until now many types of multifunctional nanoparticles have been studied, and according to the source of excitation energy they can be classified into three major groups: near infrared (NIR) light excited nanomaterials, X‐ray excited scintillating/afterglow nanoparticles, and internal light emission excited nanocarriers. The in vitro and in vivo applications of these newly developed PDT modalities are further summarized here, which highlights their potential use as promising nano‐agents for deep tumor therapy.