Discovery of a Targeted Prodrug System Activated by Reactive Oxygen Species to Enhance Diagnostic and Therapeutic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone is not as effective
as expected
due to its poor targeting and influence by the tumor microenvironment.
In this study, combined with the strategy of controlled release and
fluorescence illumination, we developed a cancer-targeted and activated
photodynamic functional molecule, RQP. This study successfully demonstrated
the mechanism of action of RQP, which could effectively differentiate
between normal and tumor cells for precise distribution and activation
of tumors, specifically release methylene blue (MB) as an effective
photosensitizer and ROS detector for targeted phototherapy, and trigger
immune activation, thereby synergistically exerting an effective antitumor
effect. Meanwhile, in vivo near-infrared fluorescence imaging could
efficiently visualize tumor tissues and monitor therapeutic efficacy
in real time, providing a comprehensive and efficient therapeutic
integration strategy for tumor treatment.