AUTHOR=Zuo Tingting , Li Xiaodie , Ma Xuan , Zhang Ye , Li Xueru , Fan Xuehai , Gao Mingze , Xia Donglin , Cheng Huijun 

TITLE=Engineering tumor-oxygenated nanomaterials: advancing photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1383930

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2024.1383930

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p>Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising treatment modality, employs photosensitizers to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) within localized tumor regions. This technique involves administering a photosensitizer followed by light activation in the presence of oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>), resulting in cytotoxic ROS production. PDT’s spatiotemporal selectivity, minimally invasive nature, and compatibility with other treatment modalities make it a compelling therapeutic approach. However, hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) poses a significant challenge to conventional PDT. To overcome this hurdle, various strategies have been devised, including in-situ O<sub>2</sub> generation, targeted O<sub>2</sub> delivery, tumor vasculature normalization, modulation of mitochondrial respiration, and photocatalytic O<sub>2</sub> generation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in designing tumor-oxygenated nanomaterials to enhance PDT efficacy. Furthermore, we delineate ongoing challenges and propose strategies to improve PDT’s clinical impact in cancer treatment.</p>