Abstract
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a method for eradicating tumor tissues through the use of photothermal materials and photosensitizing agents that absorb light energy from laser sources and convert it into heat, which selectively targets and destroys cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. MXenes have been intensively investigated as photosensitizing agents for PTT. However, achieving the selectivity of MXenes to the tumor cells remains a challenge. Specific antibodies (Ab) against tumor antigens can achieve homing of the photosensitizing agents toward tumor cells, but their immobilization on MXene received little attention. Here, we offer a strategy for the selective ablation of melanoma cells using MXene-polydopamine-antiCEACAM1 Ab complexes. We coated Ti3C2Tx MXene with polydopamine (PDA), a natural compound that attaches Ab to the MXene surface, followed by conjugation with an anti-CEACAM1 Ab. Our experiments confirm the biocompatibility of the Ti3C2Tx-PDA and Ti3C2Tx-PDA-antiCEACAM1 Ab complexes across various cell types. We also established a protocol for the selective ablation of CEACAM1-positive melanoma cells using near-infrared irradiation. The obtained complexes exhibit high selectivity and efficiency in targeting and eliminating CEACAM1-positive melanoma cells while sparing CEACAM1-negative cells. These results demonstrate the potential of MXene-PDA-Ab complexes for cancer therapy. They underline the critical role of targeted therapies in oncology, offering a promising avenue for the precise and safe treatment of melanoma and possibly other cancers characterized by specific biomarkers. Future research will aim to refine these complexes for clinical use, paving the way for new strategies for cancer treatment.