Advancing rhodium nanoparticle-based photodynamic cancer therapy: quantitative proteomics and in vivo assessment reveal mechanisms targeting tumor metabolism, progression and drug resistance

J Mater Chem B. 2024 Nov 27;12(46):12073-12086. doi: 10.1039/d4tb01631a.

Abstract

Rhodium nanoparticles have been recently discovered as good photosensitizers with great potential in cancer photodynamic therapy by effectively inducing cytotoxicity in cancer cells under near-infrared laser. This study evaluates the molecular mechanisms underlying such antitumoral effect through quantitative proteomics. The results revealed that rhodium nanoparticle-based photodynamic therapy disrupts tumor metabolism by downregulating key proteins involved in ATP synthesis and mitochondrial function, leading to compromised energy production. The treatment also induces oxidative stress and apoptosis while targeting the invasion capacity of cancer cells. Additionally, key proteins involved in drug resistance are also affected, demonstrating the efficacy of the treatment in a multi-drug resistant cell line. In vivo evaluation using a chicken embryo model also confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed therapy in reducing tumor growth without affecting embryo viability.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / pharmacology
  • Proteomics*
  • Rhodium* / chemistry
  • Rhodium* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Rhodium
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents