Dual-Light-Primed GSH-Scavenging Lipid Hybrid Nanoplatform for Cascade-Activated Photodynamic Therapy

  • Small. 2026 Mar;22(18):e12546. doi: 10.1002/smll.202512546.
So-Yeol Yoo  1  2 Jiyeon Kim  1 Sang Min Lee  1 Sangwoo Lee  1 Taejung Kim  1 JungHun Kang  1 Le Bich Hang Pham  1 Hyeonwoo Lim  1 Minkyung Kim  1 Ka-Young Lim  1 Jeeyeon Lee  1 Jae-Young Lee  1  2
Affiliations
  • 1. College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
  • 2. Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National, University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is often hindered by poor tumor selectivity and inefficient drug delivery. Herein, a lipid-hybridized phototherapeutic nanoplatform, LBCIN, is presented to overcome these barriers by integrating a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-triggered molecular logic gate with a synergistic dual-light strategy. The molecular core consists of BdTT-BNBE, a novel Photosensitizer prodrug designed for tumor microenvironment-selective activation. Upon triggering by endogenous ROS, BdTT-BNBE undergoes cleavage to release the active Photosensitizer and a para-quinone methide (pQM) intermediate. This mechanism creates a dual-action cascade: generating a potent ROS offense while simultaneously scavenging glutathione (GSH) via pQM, thereby systematically dismantling the tumor's antioxidant defense. For stable delivery, the payload is encapsulated within a chondroitin sulfate-based core with a lipid corona, offering superior colloidal stability and CD44-mediated targeting. Furthermore, a unique dual-light sequence is employed to maximize efficacy. Initial 808 nm laser irradiation activates the carrier-conjugated indocyanine green derivative (psICG), providing a "photothermal priming" effect that enhances membrane permeability and nanoparticle uptake. This facilitates subsequent white light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation, triggering a potent PDT effect amplified by intermolecular energy transfer and Ferroptosis induction. This engineered integration of ROS-responsive chemistry and sequential light activation results in durable tumor eradication with a high safety profile.

Keywords
GSH scavenging; ROS‐responsive; dual‐light photodynamic therapy; ferroptosis; lipid‐hybrid nanoplatforms.
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