Efficient Polysulfide-Based Nanotheranostics for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Ratiometric Photoacoustics Monitored Tumor Microenvironment-Initiated H2S Therapy

Jie Li, Xiang Li, Yan Yuan, Qi Wang, Lisi Xie, Yunlu Dai, Wenjun Wang, Lin Li, Xiaomei Lu, Quli Fan, Wei Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

The incidence of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is difficult to predict, and TNBC has a high mortality rate among women worldwide. In this study, a theranostics approach is developed for TNBC with ratiometric photoacoustic monitored thiol-initiated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) therapy. The ratiometric photoacoustic (PA) probe (CY) with a thiol-initiated H2S donor (PSD) to form a nanosystem (CY-PSD nanoparticles) is integrated. In this theranostics approach, H2S generated from PSD is sensed by CY based on ratiometric PA signals, which simultaneously pinpoints the tumor region. Additionally, H2S is cytotoxic toward TNBC cells (MDA-MB 231), showing a tumor inhibition rate of 63%. To further verify its pharmacological mechanism, proteomics analysis is performed on tumors treated with CY-PSD nanoparticles. Cells are killed by the significant mitochondrial dysfunction via supressed energy supply and apoptosis initiation. Besides, the observed inhibition of oxidative stress also generates the cytotoxicity. Significant Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes pathways related to TNBC are found to be inhibited. This H2S theranostics approach updates the current anticancer therapies which brings promise for women suffering malignant breast cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2002939
JournalSmall
Volume16
Issue number39
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • hydrogen sulfide
  • polysulfide
  • ratiometric photoacoustics
  • theranostics
  • triple-negative breast cancer

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