Glioblastoma Treatments with Photo-Nanotherapeutics Induce Massive Devascularization and Tumor Elimination

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that photo-nanotherapeutics using core-shell nanoparticles can effectively induce massive devascularization and eliminate glioblastoma tumors in vivo, offering a promising new treatment approach.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel nanoparticle-based photo-nanotherapeutic strategy combining photophysical and thermo-plasmonic effects for glioblastoma treatment.

Findings

Induced extensive micro-vessel disruption in tumors

Achieved tumor elimination without relapse

Used high-resolution XPCT to visualize damage

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the deadliest and most aggressive cancers, remarkably resilient to current therapeutic treatments. Here, we report in vivo studies of GBM treatments based on photo-nanotherapeutics able to induce synergistic killing mechanisms. Core-shell nanoparticles have been weaponized by combining the photophysical properties of an Ir(III) complex - a new generation PDT agent - with the thermo-plasmonic effects of resonant gold nanospheres. To investigate the damages induced in GBM treated with these nanosystems and exposed to optical radiation, we recurred to the X-ray phase contrast tomography (XPCT). This high-resolution 3D imaging technique highlighted a vast devascularization process by micro-vessels disruption, which is responsible of a tumor elimination without relapse.