Cation-Exchange Synthesized Zn-Doped AgS Nanostructures for Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies Across Breast Cancer Subtypes

Authors

• Harshavardhan Mohan, Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
• Satabdi Acharya, Department of Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
• Inhee Chung, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
• Taeho Shin, Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-9-2026

Journal

Advanced healthcare materials

DOI

10.1002/adhm.202505191

Keywords

ROS; Zn‐doped Ag2S; apoptosis; breast cancer; synergistic PTT/PDT

Abstract

Photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) require nanostructures capable of efficiently converting red-light energy into both heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, simultaneously achieving high photothermal conversion efficiency and strong ROS generation remains challenging. Here, we report zinc-doped AgS (ZSS) nanostructures, synthesized via controlled cation exchange, in which Zn incorporation modulates the electronic structure of AgS and improves charge separation, thereby enhancing red-light-activated PTT/PDT performance while preserving intrinsic biocompatibility. Among the series, ZSS(0.15) demonstrated optimized charge-carrier dynamics, a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 67.26%, and approximately four-fold higher singlet oxygen (O) generation relative to methylene blue under 660 nm irradiation. These physicochemical enhancements translated into potent therapeutic outcomes: in-vitro, ZSS(0.15) achieved an IC of 15 µg/mL under irradiation, corresponding to approximately a 1.5-fold enhancement in cytotoxic potency compared to pristine AgS, and induced apoptosis via activation of the p53/Bax/Caspase pathway. In-vivo, ZSS(0.15) with laser irradiation achieved ∼97% tumor volume suppression without systemic toxicity. Extending evaluation across multiple breast cancer cell lines representing distinct molecular subtypes further confirmed broad-spectrum in vitro efficacy. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that controlled Zn incorporation into AgS effectively enhances red-light-driven photothermal conversion and O generation, establishing a rational materials strategy for improving synergistic PTT/PDT performance.

APA Citation

Mohan, Harshavardhan; Acharya, Satabdi; Chung, Inhee; and Shin, Taeho, "Cation-Exchange Synthesized Zn-Doped AgS Nanostructures for Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies Across Breast Cancer Subtypes" (2026). GW Authored Works. Paper 9091.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/9091

Department

Anatomy and Regenerative Biology