Synergistic thermoradiotherapy based on PEGylated Cu 3 BiS 3 ternary semiconductor nanorods with strong absorption in the second near-infrared window

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.10.024
• Publication Date: 2016-10-16T01:17:32Z
• Authors: Ang Li; Xiang Li; Xujiang Yu; Wei Li; Ruyi Zhao; Xiao An; Daxiang Cui; Xiaoyuan Chen; Wanwan Li
• Keywords: Nanorod

In this work, we report a successful synthesis of copper bismuth sulfide nanorods (NRs) with broad and strong photoabsorption ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths, which can be used as a 1064 nm-laser-driven photothermal agent with the photothermal conversion efficiency of 40.7%, noticeably higher than most of the reported PTT agents working in NIR-II window. The as-prepared PEGylated Cu3BiS3 NRs were used as photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and CT imaging agents due to their strong NIR absorption and large X-ray attenuation coefficient of bismuth. We are the first to demonstrate that a small quantity of PEGylated Cu3BiS3 NRs in tumors can concentrate radiation energy and trigger mild PTT under NIR-II irradiation and thus, these particles could be used as a novel, synergistic thermoradiotheraputic agent that enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy.