# Aggregation-Induced-Emission Luminogens Functionalized MXene Nanosheets for Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel in Pyroptosis-Mediated Choroidal Melanoma Therapy

## TL;DR

A new nanoplatform combining imaging and therapy is developed for treating choroidal melanoma using a hydrogel that releases nanosheets over 72 hours.

## Contribution

The integration of aggregation-induced emission luminogens with MXene nanosheets in a hydrogel for sustained, imaging-guided therapy of choroidal melanoma is novel.

## Key findings

- The nanoplatform enables dual-modal imaging (FLI and PTI) and synergistic mPTT/PDT therapy.
- The hydrogel allows controlled release of nanosheets over 72 hours, enabling single injection for multiple treatments.
- In vitro and in vivo studies confirm the nanosystem's effectiveness in tumor ablation via pyroptosis.

## Abstract

A pyroptosis mediated mild photothermal therapy (mPTT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT) enabled by aggregation induced emission married MXene nanosheets for choroidal melanoma is reported.The nanosheets realize near infrared Fluorescence Imaging (FLI)- Photothermal Imaging (PTI) dual imaging guided synergistic mPTT/PDT therapy , while Agar/PSBMA hybrid hydrogel allows controlled nanosheets release over 72 h , enabling single injection, multiple treatment for precise theranostics.
The nanoplatform addresses the existed imaging diagnostics and therapeutic predicaments in choroidal melanoma.

A pyroptosis mediated mild photothermal therapy (mPTT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT) enabled by aggregation induced emission married MXene nanosheets for choroidal melanoma is reported.

The nanosheets realize near infrared Fluorescence Imaging (FLI)- Photothermal Imaging (PTI) dual imaging guided synergistic mPTT/PDT therapy , while Agar/PSBMA hybrid hydrogel allows controlled nanosheets release over 72 h , enabling single injection, multiple treatment for precise theranostics.

The nanoplatform addresses the existed imaging diagnostics and therapeutic predicaments in choroidal melanoma.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40820-026-02077-z.

Choroidal melanoma is a prevalent intraocular malignant tumor with high mortality rate and liver metastases, related to the lack of sensitive and noninvasive therapeutic modalities. To address the imaging diagnostics and therapeutic predicaments for choroidal melanoma, a novel nanoplatform is developed through the integration of an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer with two-dimensional MXene nanosheets (MX@PEG-MeoTTPy). This nanoplatform simultaneously exhibits distinctive properties and multiple functions including exceptional biocompatibility, efficient type I reactive oxygen species generation, high-quality fluorescence bioimaging, mild near-infrared (NIR) photothermal performance and superior cellular uptake. Furthermore, a thermosensitive hydrogel composite is engineered to encapsulate the nanosheets, enabling controlled and sustained release over 72 h via NIR irradiation and tumor microenvironment-induced gel–sol transition. The nanoplatform leverages synergistic mild photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, leading to precise and sustained tumor ablation through pyroptosis-mediated cell death. Both in vitro and in vivo studies validate that the nanosystem serves as an effective theranostic agent for dual-modal imaging-guided synergistic therapy, offering a multifaceted therapeutic strategy for intraocular tumors and showing significant potential for clinical application in choroidal melanoma therapy.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40820-026-02077-z.