Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets for photoacoustic image-guided oxygen-enhanced photodynamic therapy of hypoxic tumors

Solid tumors face the challenge of hypoxia, resulting from an imbalance between oxygen demands and supply. Hypoxia leads to resistance to conventional cancer therapies like radiation and chemotherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) that relies on oxygen radicals. To address this, we developed perfluorocarbon nanodroplets for co-delivering oxygen and a photosensitizer. In vitro and in vivo studies validated oxygen release and enhanced tumor oxygenation. Histological analysis confirmed reduced hypoxic regions in nanodroplet-treated tumors. PDT using the nanodroplets demonstrated superior efficacy compared to a liposomal formulation. Overall, oxygen-loaded nanodroplets guided by photoacoustic imaging offer a promising approach for hypoxic tumor treatment.