Tumor ablation using novel photothermal Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles against breast cancer osteolytic bone metastasis

BACKGROUNDS: Profiting from the development of nanomaterials, photothermal therapy (PTT) has been discovered as efficient tumor ablation strategy for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Novel oxygen vacancy-rich tungsten bronze nanoparticles (Na(x)WO(3)) were synthesized through a simple pyrogenic decomposition process. TEM, XRD, UV-vis-NIR, photothermal conversion ability, and photothermal stability were performed. The viabilities of 293T and 4T1 cells after treating with 200 μg/mL Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles for 24 or 48 hrs were both above 80%, which proved the good biosafety and cytotoxicity of Na(x)WO(3) in vitro. Two in vivo breast cancer models, namely percutaneous and intratibial 4T1 models were established and Na(x)WO(3) (20 mg/kg) with power intensity of 1.5 W/cm(2) 980 nm laser photothermal treatment was used in vivo. RESULTS: We successfully synthesized ~150 nm Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles with desirable PTT effects, as evidenced by the temperature increase from 25.8°C to 41.8°C in 5 mins under the irradiation of 980 nm laser (1 mg/mL). Also, cellular compatibility of Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles was found upon physiologic 293T cells, in contrast with significant cytotoxicity against breast cancer 4T1 cell in vitro dose-dependently. Besides, two in vivo breast cancer models showed the decent tumor ablation ability of Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles, demonstrating percutaneous 4T1 tumor elimination without recurrence during 2 weeks observation as well as intratibial breast cancer inhibition with decreased bone destruction and tumor volume after Na(x)WO(3)+PTT in vivo. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we developed a novel oxygen vacancy-rich tungsten bronze nanoparticles (Na(x)WO(3)) through a simple pyrogenic decomposition process for PTT. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed the good PTT ability and tumor ablation effects of synthesized Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles against breast cancer osteolytic bone metastasis. Additionally, our oxygen-deficient Na(x)WO(3) nanoparticles will expand the research horizons of PTT nanomaterials.