CD47-mediated DTIC-loaded chitosan oligosaccharide-grafted nGO for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy against malignant melanoma

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Nano-graphene oxide (nGO) serves as a drug nanocarrier for photothermal therapy (PTT) and imaging.
• Dacarbazine (DTIC) has limited efficacy in melanoma treatment.
• Photothermal therapy (PTT) shows potential for skin cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional nanoplatform (nGO-COS-CD47/DTIC) for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of melanoma.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the nanoplatform in targeting and treating melanoma cells.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)-grafted nGO was modified with CD47 antibody and loaded with Dacarbazine (DTIC).
• In vitro studies assessed biocompatibility, photothermal conversion efficiency, targeting ability, drug release kinetics, and tumor cell killing efficiency.
• Apoptosis induction via the mitochondrial pathway was investigated.

Main Results:

• The nGO-COS-CD47/DTIC nanocarriers demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and high photothermal conversion efficiency.
• High targeting efficiency, rapid drug release under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, and significant tumor cell killing were observed.
• Combined therapy with NIR irradiation significantly induced early cell apoptosis and demonstrated potent antitumor efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The developed nGO-COS-CD47/DTIC nanoplatform offers a promising approach for synergistic targeted chemo-photothermal therapy in malignant melanoma.
• This multifunctional intelligent nanoplatform provides a highly efficient therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.