3D-printed, implantable alginate/CuS nanoparticle scaffolds for local tumor treatment via synergistic photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic therapy

A promising method for treating cancer is localized therapy, which mainly employs hydrogel-based delivery systems. Recently, the capability of 3D printing techniques has been revealed as a promising tool to tackle cancer. In this work, alginate (Alg)-based 3D-printed implantable scaffolds containing bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles, Alg-CuS/BSA, were fabricated for local breast cancer therapy and applied to inhibit tumor development through utilizing synergistic photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic effects. The Alg-CuS/BSA scaffolds were flexible; however, their modulus was significantly lower than that of human breast tissues. Under 808 nm irradiation, the scaffolds demonstrated efficient photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic effects both in vitro and in vivo via improving photothermal transduction and singlet-oxygen formation, and also as Fenton catalysts, the scaffolds produced hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H2O2 within the tumor microenvironment. Without the use of conventional anticancer drugs, the promising tumor treatment of implanted scaffolds can offer potential applications in local cancer treatment and prevent metastasis after surgical removal of tumors.