The In Situ Sulfidation of Cu₂O by Endogenous H₂S for Colon Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Expression of a high concentration of H₂ S is closely related to the formation of colon cancer tumors. However, only a few H₂ S-triggered theranostics agents for colon cancer have been reported to date. Now, a turn-on theranostics agent was developed by utilizing the in situ reaction of Cu₂ O and endogenous H₂ S at colon tumor sites. Based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, excellent photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy were both confirmed by this in situ reaction-activated colon cancer theranostics method. This work established a simple and efficient strategy for both diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer with a novel trigger mechanism, which provides a new route for colon cancer theranostics based on the in situ reactions at the tumor sites.