Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Zinc-Enhanced Combined Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy

Researchers from Macau University of Science and Technology have made a significant discovery in the field of cancer gene therapy, developing a new treatment for prostate cancer that combines chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. The therapeutic effect of chemotherapy on prostate cancer has been limited, but this innovative approach addresses this issue by co-delivering chemotherapy and a photosensitizer using a tumor-targeted multifunctional liposomal platform.

Key Takeaways:

• The research focuses on developing a tumor-targeted multifunctional liposomal platform (PTX-PS/Zn@Lip-Apt) for zinc-enhanced chemo-photodynamic therapy of prostate cancer.
• The platform co-delivers paclitaxel (PTX) and an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer (TPEDPD) to enable combined chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy.
• Zinc ions were loaded into liposomes to improve the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer to chemodrugs.
• The aptamer conjugation and photochemical internalization (PCI) strategy enhanced the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of PTX/PS-Zn@Lip-Apt in vitro experiments.
• In vivo experiments demonstrated the good antitumor effect and biosafety of PTX/PS-Zn@Lip-Apt.
• The research provides a crucial basis for innovatively applying zinc-enhanced combined chemo-photodynamic therapy in prostate cancer.

Statistics:

• 1 in 6 males worldwide is affected by prostate cancer.
• Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in males globally.
• Zinc ions enhanced cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells.
• The research involved a team of researchers from Macau University of Science and Technology, including Li Gao, Zhisheng Tang, Dongming Xiao, Xu Chen, and Yizhun Zhu.

Sources:

• Research from [1] Prostate Cancer-Targeting Liposome Loaded with Zinc Ion-Coordinated Photosensitizer for Enhanced Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy. Pharmaceutics, 2025,17(4):448. (Pharmaceutics - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceutics/).

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