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,whichmainly employs hydrogel-based delivery systems. Recently, the capabilityof 3D printing techniques has been revealed as a promising tool totackle cancer. In this work, alginate (Alg)-based 3D-printed implantablescaffolds containing bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated copper sulfide(CuS) nanoparticles, Alg-CuS/BSA, were fabricated for local breastcancer therapy and applied to inhibit tumor development through utilizingsynergistic photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic effects.The Alg-CuS/BSA scaffolds were flexible; however, their modulus wassignificantly lower than that of human breast tissues. Under 808 nmirradiation, the scaffolds demonstrated efficient photothermal, photodynamic,and chemodynamic effects both in vitro and in vivo via improving photothermaltransduction and singlet-oxygen formation, and also as Fenton catalysts,the scaffolds produced hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H2O2 within the tumor microenvironment. Without theuse of conventional anticancer drugs, the promising tumor treatmentof implanted scaffolds can offer potential applications in local cancertreatment and prevent metastasis after surgical removal of tumors.