Low‐Dose X‐ray Activation of W(VI)‐Doped Persistent Luminescence Nanoparticles for Deep‐Tissue Photodynamic Therapy

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) has served as an important strategy for treatment of various diseases, it still experiences many challenges, such as shallow penetration of light, high-dose light irradiation, and low therapy efficiency in deep tissue. Here, a low-dose X-ray-activated persistent luminescence nanoparticle (PLNP)-mediated PDT nanoplatform for depth-independent and repeatable cancer treatment has been reported. In order to improve therapeutic efficiency, this study first synthesizes W(VI)-doped ZnGa2O4:Cr PLNPs with stronger persistent luminescence intensity and longer persistent luminescence time than traditional ZnGa2O4:Cr PLNPs. The proposed PLNPs can serve as a persistent excitation light source for PDT, even after X-ray irradiation has been removed. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that low-dose (0.18Gy) X-ray irradiation is sufficient to activate the PDT nanoplatform and causes significant inhibitory effect on tumor progression. Therefore, such PDT nanoplatform will provide a promising depth-independent treatment mode for clinical cancer therapy in the future.