Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Carbon Nanostructure Augmented Sonodynamic Cancer Therapy

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800180
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19T16:13:04Z
• Authors: Xueting Pan; Lixin Bai; Hui Wang; Qingyuan Wu; Hongyu Wang; Shuang Liu; Bolong Xu; Xinghua Shi; Huiyu Liu
• Keywords: Porphyrins; Neoplasms; Ultrasonic Therapy; Humans; 02 engineering and technology; Reactive Oxygen Species; 0210 nano-technology; Carbon; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Nanostructures

AbstractSonodynamic therapy (SDT) can overcome the critical issue of depth‐penetration barrier of photo‐triggered therapeutic modalities. However, the discovery of sonosensitizers with high sonosensitization efficacy and good stability is still a significant challenge. In this study, the great potential of a metal–organic‐framework (MOF)‐derived carbon nanostructure that contains porphyrin‐like metal centers (PMCS) to act as an excellent sonosensitizer is identified. Excitingly, the superior sonosensitization effect of PMCS is believed to be closely linked to the porphyrin‐like macrocycle in MOF‐derived nanostructure in comparison to amorphous carbon nanospheres, due to their large highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap for high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The nanoparticle‐assisted cavitation process, including the visualized formation of the cavitation bubbles and microjets, is also first captured by high‐speed camera. High ROS production in PMCS under ultrasound is validated by electron spin resonance and dye measurement, followed by cellular destruction and high tumor inhibition efficiency (85%). This knowledge is important from the perspective of understanding the structure‐dependent SDT enhancement of a MOF‐derived carbon nanostructure.