Manganese-functionalized MXene theranostic nanoplatform for MRI-guided synergetic photothermal/chemodynamic therapy of cancer

Abstract

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) nanosheets with high photothermal conversion efficiency as well as photothermal stability can efficiently generate remarkable hyperthermia for photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer. However, mono-MXenes cannot exhibit precise diagnosis and treatment to complete ablation of cancer cells in the PTT process. To overcome this dilemma, an "all-in-one" nanoplatform of titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂) MXene-based composite nanosheets is developed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided multi-modal hyperthermia and chemodynamic tumor ablation, which was achieved by bonding of manganese ion on the surface of Ti₃C₂, and then was the functionalized nanosheets was modified by biocompatible PEG (Mn-Ti₃C₂@PEG). Due to magnetic and Fenton-like catalytic properties of Mn components, Mn-Ti₃C₂@PEG not only acted as the contrast agents for T₁-weighted MRI (relaxivity value of 1.05 mM^-1 s^-1), but also converted cellular H₂O₂ into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Moreover, Furthermore, Mn-Ti₃C₂@PEG can efficiently suppressed tumor-growth by PTT, due to the high photothermal conversion capability and photothermal stability. As a proof-of-concept model, the as-designed Mn-Ti₃C₂@PEG nanoplatform shows simultaneous MRI and dual-modal treatment for effective suppression of tumor with minimized side effects both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>, indicating the great potential for clinical cancer theranostics.