USIO as an imaging nanoenzyme loaded autologous exosomes for targeted imaging and chemotherapy promotion of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Abstract Pancreatic cancer is one of the extremely poor prognosis of malignant tumors of the digestive tract, its presence in lack of blood for imaging, chemotherapy resistance caused by hypoxia and other treatment difficulties. This paper investigates a targeted exosomal delivery strategy to construct a nanoprobe Exo-USIO by loading ultra small iron oxide nanoparticles (USIO NPs) into homologous cell-derived exosomes. In vitro cell experiments showed that the nanoprobes had a strong homing ability and could improve the efficiency of USIO NPs into tumor cells; USIO NPs exert enzyme-like activity to catalyze the production of O2 from endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), improve cell hypoxia, and enhance the sensitivity of cells to gemcitabine (GEM). In tumor-bearing mice, the nanoprobe Exo-USIO showed the ability to target imaging tumors and overcome tumor hypoxia in a nearly non-toxic manner, effectively promoting the therapeutic effect of GEM. Homologous cell-derived exosomes are effective carriers for targeted delivery of USIO NPs to pancreatic cancer, and this delivery strategy may play a guiding role in the precise diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.