Lysosome- and plasma membrane-accumulative and tumor-targetable polythiophene nanoparticles for enhanced sonodynamic therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising treatment approach of solid tumors given its deep tissue penetration, non-invasiveness, few side effects, and negligible drug resistance. Herein, we report the first polythiophene derivative-based sonosensitizer (PT2) containing a quaternary ammonium salt and dodecyl chains with better ultrasound stability than that of traditional sonosensitizers, such as Rose Bengal and chlorin e6. PT2 was encapsulated by folic acid-containing polyethylene glycol. The obtained nanoparticles (PDPF NPs) exhibited excellent biocompatibility, cancer cell-targeting capacity, and accumulated mainly in the lysosomes and plasma membranes of cells. These NPs could generate singlet oxygen and superoxide anions simultaneously under ultrasound irradiation. In vitro and in vivo experimental results demonstrated that PDPF NPs could induce cancer-cell death through apoptosis and necrosis, inhibit DNA replication, and ultimately achieve tumor depletion upon US irradiation. These findings revealed that polythiophene could serve as an efficacious sonosensitizer for enhanced US treatment of deep-seated tumors.