Improving Photodynamic Therapy Anticancer Activity of a Mitochondria-Targeted Coumarin Photosensitizer Using a Polyurethane−Polyurea Hybrid Nanocarrier

Integration of photosensitizers (PSs) within nanoscale delivery systems offers great potential for overcoming some of the 'Achiles' heels' of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, we have encapsulated a mitochondria-targeted coumarin PS into amphoteric polyurethane-polyurea hybrid nanoc...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bonelli Blasco, Joaquin Daniel, Ortega Forte, Enrique, Rovira, Anna, Bosch Marimon, Manel, Torres, Oriol, Cuscó Marigó, Cristina, Rocas Sorolla, Josep, Ruiz, José, Marchán Sancho, Vicente
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/190222
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/190222
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cumarines
Polímers
Tumors
Coumarins
Polymers
Descripción
Sumario:Integration of photosensitizers (PSs) within nanoscale delivery systems offers great potential for overcoming some of the 'Achiles' heels' of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, we have encapsulated a mitochondria-targeted coumarin PS into amphoteric polyurethane-polyurea hybrid nanocapsules (NCs) with the aim of developing novel nanoPDT agents. The synthesis of coumarin-loaded NCs involved the nanoemulsification of a suitable prepolymer in the presence of a PS without needing external surfactants, and the resulting small nanoparticles showed improved photostability compared with the free compound. Nanoencapsulation reduced dark cytotoxicity of the coumarin PS and significantly improved in vitro photoactivity with red light toward cancer cells, which resulted in higher phototherapeutic indexes compared to free PS. Importantly, this nanoformulation impaired tumoral growth of clinically relevant three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids. Mitochondrial photodamage along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) photogeneration was found to trigger autophagy and apoptotic cell death of cancer cells.