Cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat due to its complexity and tendency to metastasize (spread into or invade, nearby tissues or distant places in the body to form new tumors). Traditional therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, often face limitations like non-specific targeting and severe side effects. In response, researchers are turning to innovative approaches that combine multiple therapeutic modalities to address these issues.
This study explores a cutting-edge solution involving CNHs to create a multimodal cancer phototheranostic platform integrating photothermal therapy (PTT), immunotherapy , and chemotherapy. PTT utilizes light-sensitive materials that can induce photothermal effect [conversion of near-infrared (NIR) light to heat] and activate immune responses to destroy cancer cells. While PTT is effective in targeting solid tumors, it has significant limitations.
One major drawback is its inability to eliminate cancer cells outside the irradiation region, making it less effective against metastatic diseases. Additionally, PTT's efficacy is limited by the depth of NIR light penetration, which can hinder its ability to treat deep-seated tumors. To address these limitations, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Eijiro Miyako from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), have now developed cancer cell membrane (CM)-wrapped CNH nanoparticles for the delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) for the treatment of colon.