Multifunctional Bismuth Selenide Nanocomposites for Antitumor Thermo-Chemotherapy and Imaging

TLDR

The study aims to develop a single nanoagent that combines real‑time imaging and drug delivery by synthesizing a PDA/HSA/DOX‑coated Bi₂Se₃ nanoparticle platform. The platform was fabricated by coating Bi₂Se₃ nanoparticles with polydopamine, human serum albumin, and doxorubicin to enable imaging and controlled drug release. The Bi₂Se₃@PDA/DOX/HSA nanoparticles demonstrated high stability, biocompatibility, dual CT/IR imaging capability, efficient NIR photothermal conversion, pH‑ and photothermal‑triggered drug release, and achieved a 92.6 % tumor‑growth inhibition—substantially outperforming chemotherapy (27.8 %) or PTT (73.6 %) alone—without observable toxicity, indicating a potent, safe thermo‑chemotherapy platform.

Abstract

To integrate real-time monitoring and therapeutic functions into a single nanoagent, we have designed and synthesized a drug-delivery platform based on a polydopamine(PDA)/human serum albumin (HSA)/doxorubicin (DOX) coated bismuth selenide (Bi 2Se 3) nanoparticle (NP). The resultant product exhibits high stability and biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to the excellent capability for both X-ray computed tomography (CT) and infrared thermal imaging, the NPs possess strong near-infrared (NIR) absorbance, and high capability and stability of photothermal conversion for efficient photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. Furthermore, a bimodal on-demand pH/photothermal-sensitive drug release has been achieved, resulting in a significant chemotherapeutic effect. Most importantly, the tumor-growth inhibition ratio achieved from thermo-chemotherapy of the Bi 2Se 3@PDA/DOX/HSA NPs was 92.6%, in comparison to the chemotherapy (27.8%) or PTT (73.6%) alone, showing a superior synergistic therapeutic effect. In addition, there is no noticeable toxicity induced by the NPs in vivo. This multifunctional platform is, therefore, promising for effective, safe and precise antitumor treatment and may stimulate interest in further exploration of drug loading on Bi 2Se 3 and other competent PTT agents combined with in situ imaging for biomedical applications.