The Ag-based hybrid nanoprobe for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging has good application potential in realizing accurate biological detection and tumor optical treatment. However, Ag also has serious toxicity to normal mammalian cells, which also hinders its further application. Researcher Zhou Min and Shoujie Wang of Zhejiang University proposed a biomimetic protein crown strategy to construct a hollow AgAu-DTTC-BSA nanostructure.

 



Key points of this article:

(1) The release of Ag ions and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of the nanostructure will be significantly inhibited at the beginning, so it will not cause damage to normal cells and tissues. But under laser irradiation, its therapeutic properties will be activated in the tumor. At the same time, the nanostructure can also generate a strong localized surface plasmon resonance effect, thereby generating an effective and stable photothermal effect and enhanced SERS activity.







(2) Studies have shown that the hollow AgAu-DTTC-BSA with good biocompatibility can detect primary tumor tissues and tiny liver metastases (~0.18 mm) in the in situ/subcutaneous CT26 colon tumor-bearing mouse model , And can guide photothermal therapy through precise SERS imaging, and at the same time produce toxic Ag ions and ROS to achieve effective treatment of colorectal solid tumors. This research result shows that the hollow AgAu-DTTC-BSA is a photothermal therapy reagent that can be used for solid tumor treatment and imaging guidance, and it is expected to further promote the application of Ag-based nanoparticles in the field of tumor therapy.






references:

Jian He. et al. Bioinspired Protein Corona Strategy Enhanced Biocompatibility of Ag-Hybrid Hollow Au Nanoshells for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Imaging and On-demand Activation Tumor-Phototherapy. Biomaterials. 2021

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961221000867