Effective photodynamic therapy of polymer hydrogel on tumor cells prepared using methylene blue sensitized mesoporous titania nanocrystal

A novel hydrogel shell on cancer cells was prepared via in situ photopolymerization of polyethyleneglycol diacrylate (PEGDA) using methylene blue (MB) sensitized mesoporous titania nanocrystal for effective photodynamic therapy (PDT). TiO 2 in this system served as an effective photosensitizer and initiator for the formation of hydrogel, also can protect the MB from being degraded into an inactive form. While MB was used as a significant photosensitive additive to improve the photochemistry effects of TiO 2 and widen its optical response area to near infrared region (660–900 nm). The PEGDA hydrogel with peritumoral injectability shows competitive advantages, i.e. good biocompatibility and hydrophily, selective and minimally invasive delivery of TiO 2 @MB, maintaining a high PDT drug concentration for inducing tumor apoptosis, localized and sustainable release under 660 nm laser irradiation for reducing side effect. The hydrogel also could load chemo-therapy drugs, and serve as a versatile platform for multimode antitumor treatment.