Right Cu2−xS@MnS Core–Shell Nanoparticles as a Photo/H2O2-Responsive Platform for Effective Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive nanomedicines have become a recent research focus as a candidate for cancer treatment because of their effectiveness, sensibility, and minimal invasiveness. In this work, a novel nanosystem is developed based on Cu2−xS@MnS core–shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) in which the Cu2−xS core serves as a photosensitizer to generate hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the MnS shell is used in H2O2-responsive O2 production. Cu2−xS@MnS CSNPs with an independent core and shell ratio are synthesized by a controllable hot-injection method, resulting in an optimal photothermal (PT) effect with a PT conversion efficiency of up to 47.9%. An enhanced photodynamic (PD) effect also occurs in an H2O2 environment. More significantly, in vivo experiments demonstrate that Cu2−xS@MnS CSNPs can mediate tumor shrinkage in both HeLa tumor cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, with the capability of being used as a T1-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent. These results suggest the great potential of as-prepared Cu2−xS@MnS CSNPs as photo/H2O2-responsive therapeutic-agents against tumors, even in a complicated and heterogeneous environment, thus promoting the clinical translation of nanomedicine.