2. Academic Validation
  3. A Real-Time Cell Death Self-Reporting Theranostic Agent for Dynamic Optimization of Photodynamic Therapy

A Real-Time Cell Death Self-Reporting Theranostic Agent for Dynamic Optimization of Photodynamic Therapy

  • Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025 Mar 8:e2417678. doi: 10.1002/advs.202417678.
Wei Bian 1 2,  Qiyue Wang 3 4,  Cui He 2,  Pan Tao 3,  Juanjuan Zheng 3,  Yulu Zhang 2,  Jing Li 1,  Fangyuan Li 4,  Hongyan Jia 1,  Daishun Ling 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Breast Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, 030000, China.
  • 3 Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
  • 4 Department of Clinical Laboratory, Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders (LEAD), Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201600, China.
PMID: 40056057 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202417678
Abstract

The therapeutic efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) hinges on the drug-light interval (DLI), yet conventional approaches relying on photosensitizer accumulation often lead to suboptimal irradiation and adverse side effects. Here, a real-time cell death self-reporting photodynamic theranostic nanoagent (CDPN) is presented that dynamically monitors extracellular potassium ion ([K⁺]ex) fluctuations as direct indicators of tumor cell death. By exploiting [K⁺]ex dyshomeostasis associated with Apoptosis and necrosis, CDPN combines a photosensitizer and a potassium-sensitive fluorophore within mesoporous silica nanoparticles, encapsulated by a K⁺-selective membrane for enhanced specificity. In vitro and in vivo studies validate that [K⁺]ex dynamics closely correlate with cell death, enabling precise evaluation of PDT efficacy and data-driven optimization of the DLI. Using a breast Cancer model, CDPN-guided adjustments identify optimized DLI conditions, achieving significantly improved therapeutic outcomes. This study introduces a new paradigm for PDT, establishing a real-time, adaptable strategy for guiding treatment parameters and advancing precision oncology.

Keywords

fluorescence imaging; imaging‐guided surgery; nanosensor; photodynamic therapy; theranostic agent.

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