Supramolecular Photothermal Nanomaterials as an Emerging Paradigm toward Precision Cancer Therapy

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 29; no. 4
• Main Authors: Zhao, Luyang, Liu, Yamei, Chang, Rui, Xing, Ruirui, Yan, Xuehai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 24.01.2019
• Subjects: Assembly; Binary systems; Biocompatibility; Construction standards; Drug delivery systems; intermolecular interaction; Materials science; Nanomaterials; Photoluminescence; photosensitizer; Photothermal conversion; photothermal therapy; Proteins; self‐assembly; supramolecular photothermal effect
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201806877

The concept of the “supramolecular photothermal effects” refers to the collection property and photothermal conversion efficiency resulting from the supramolecular assembly of molecular photothermal sensitizers. This review considers organic supramolecular photothermal materials assembled at the nanoscale via various molecular self‐assembly strategies and associated with the organization of multiple noncovalent interactions. In these materials, the individual photosensitizer molecules are typically aggregated through self‐assembly in a certain form that exhibits enhanced biostability, increased photothermal conversion efficiency with photoluminescence quenching, and improved photothermal therapeutic effects in comparison with those of the monomeric photosensitizer molecules. These supramolecular photothermal effects are controlled or influenced by intermolecular noncovalent interactions, especially the hydrophobic effects, which are distinct from the mechanisms of conventional sensitizer molecules and polymers and inorganic photothermal agents. A focus lies on how self‐assembly strategies give rise to supramolecular photothermal effects, including polymer and protein fabrication, small molecule self‐assembly, and the construction of donor–acceptor binary systems. Emphases are placed on the rational design of supramolecular photothermal nanomaterials, drug delivery, and in vivo photothermal therapeutic effects. Finally, the key challenges and promising prospects of these supramolecular photothermal nanomaterials in terms of both technical advances and clinical translation are discussed. Supramolecular photothermal effects: The aggregation of photosensitizers through self‐assembly strategies gives rise to enhanced biostability and photothermal conversion efficiency depending on the supramolecular methodology used. Understanding these supramolecular photothermal effects benefits the design of novel supramolecular photothermal nanomaterials toward precision cancer therapy.