Development of sonophotodynamic nanomaterial containing curcumin

Photodynamic therapy (FDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) often exhibit limited therapeutic efficacy. To enhance treatment outcomes, combined strategies such as sonophotodynamic therapy (SFDT) have been proposed. In the present study, a curcumin-loaded hybrid nanocomposite with potential photodynamic, sonodynamic, and sonophotodynamic properties was designed. Curcumin exhibits direct antitumor effects due to its anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and anti-metastatic activities; however, its low bioavailability limits its therapeutic impact. The developed nanocomposite, characterized by a metal-free organic structure, high photostability, and biocompatibility, can be activated by light and ultrasound individually or simultaneously, thereby demonstrating FDT, SDT, and SFDT efficacy. In vitro experiments revealed that the nanocomposite induced 50% cell death under FDT, 30% under SDT, and 70% under SFDT, confirming that SFDT alone is more effective than FDT or SDT. Overall, the synthesized nanocomposite represents a water-soluble, multifunctional therapeutic platform with high potential for precision oncology applications, offering combined FDT, SDT, and SFDT treatment modalities.