Synergistic Nanomedicine by Combined Gene and Photothermal therapy

Jinhwan Kim, Jihoon Kim, Cherlhyun Jeong*, Won Jong Kim*

To date, various nanomaterials with the ability for gene delivery or photothermal effect have been developed in the field of biomedicine. The therapeutic potential of these nanomaterials has raised considerable interests in their use in potential next-generation strategies for effective anticancer therapy. In particular, the advancement of novel nanomedicines utilizing both therapeutic strategies of gene delivery and photothermal effect has generated much optimism regarding the imminent development of effective and successful cancer treatments. In this review, we discuss current research progress with regard to combined gene and photothermal therapy. This review focuses on synergistic therapeutic systems combining gene regulation and photothermal ablation as well as logically designed nano-carriers aimed at enhancing the delivery efficiency of therapeutic genes using the photothermal effect. The examples detailed in this review provide insight to further our understanding of combinatorial gene and photothermal therapy, thus paving the way for the design of promising nanomedicines.

다양한 나노물질들이 유전자 전달, 약물 전달, 광역학 치료, 광열치료등과 같은 생의학적 응용에 이용되어 왔다. 이 중 유전자 치료와 광열 치료의 조합은 각각의 치료효과가 가지는 단점을 극복하며 최적화된 나노약물로 이용될 수 있다는 점에서 많은 각광을 받고 있다. 본 연구단에서는 유전자 치료와 광열 치료를 각각 이용해 진보된 치료효과를 보이는 결과 및 광열 자극을 이용해 유전자 치료의 효율을 증대시키는 연구등을 여러 국제 학술지에 발표하였으며, 이를 종합하여 Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 의 “Therapeutics for Synergistic Therapy” 호에 발간되었다.