Rational engineering of semiconductor QDs enabling remarkable 1O2 production for tumor-targeted photodynamic therapy

Publication date: December 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 148
Author(s): Yizhong Shen, Yidan Sun, Runqi Yan, Erquan Chen, Huan Wang, Deju Ye, Jing-Juan Xu, Hong-Yuan Chen
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have served as superior optically active nanomaterials for molecular imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT), but the low singlet oxygen (¹O2) quantum yield and lack of tumor selectivity have limited their applications for tumor PDT in vivo. Here, we report the rational engineering of QDs into tumor-targeting hybrid nanoparticles through micelle-encapsulating a pre-assembled unique QD-Zn-porphyrin complex, a highly fluorescent organic photosensitizer rhodamine 6G (R6G), and a near-infrared fluorophore NIR775 with folic acid labeled phospholipid polymers. These nanoparticles have large porphyrin payloads and strong light absorption capability, thus contributing to an extremely high ¹O2 quantum yield (∼0.91) via an efficient dual energy transfer process. In vivo studies show that they can preferably accumulate in tumors through folate receptor-mediated active delivery, permitting non-invasive fluorescence imaging and effective PDT of tumors in living mice. This study highlights the utility of hybrid semiconductor QDs for both tumor imaging and PDT in vivo.

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