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Nanotechnology

Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment: miRNA-Guided Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have introduced an analytical platform for the selective imaging of breast and ovarian cancer cells and the photodynamic therapy of these cancer cells. The method utilizes Zn(II)-protoporphyrin IX-loaded UiO-66 metal-organic framework nanoparticles gated by hairpins engineered to include miRNA recognition sequences. This approach allows for the selective imaging and killing of cancer cells through the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research introduces a novel analytical platform for the selective imaging of breast and ovarian cancer cells using miRNA-guided fluorescent chains.
  • The platform utilizes Zn(II)-protoporphyrin IX-loaded UiO-66 metal-organic framework nanoparticles gated by hairpins engineered to include miRNA recognition sequences.
  • The hairpins are engineered to include the miRNA recognition sequence in the stem domain and partial locked stem regions of G-quadruplex subunits.
  • Intracellular phosphate-ions displace the hairpins, resulting in the release of the Zn(II)-PPIX and intracellular miRNAs, which triggers the autonomous cross-opening of the hairpins.
  • This leads to the assembly of highly fluorescent Zn(II)-PPIX-loaded G-quadruplex chains, allowing selective imaging of cancer cells.
  • PDT with visible light selectively kills cancer cells and tumor cells through the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in ACS Nano in 2022.
  • The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Yu Ouyang, Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
  • The study included additional authors Pu Zhang, Yang Sung Sohn, Michael Fadeev, Ola Karmi, Rachel Nechushtai, Ilan Stein, Eli Pikarsky, and Itamar Willner.

Statistics:

  • The study utilizes a novel analytical platform for the selective imaging of breast and ovarian cancer cells.
  • The platform uses Zn(II)-protoporphyrin IX-loaded UiO-66 metal-organic framework nanoparticles.
  • The nanoparticles are gated by hairpins engineered to include miRNA recognition sequences.
  • The research has been published in ACS Nano, a peer-reviewed journal.
  • The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Hebrew University of Jerusalem Reports Findings in Cancer [miRNA-Guided Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy Treatment of Cancer Cells Using Zn(II)-Protoporphyrin IX-Loaded Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles]. Nanotechnology Weekly. January 24, 2022; p 1270.
  • ACS Nano. miRNA-Guided Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy Treatment of Cancer Cells Using Zn(II)-Protoporphyrin IX-Loaded Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles. 2022.

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