Hemin particles-functionalized 3D printed scaffolds for combined photothermal and chemotherapy of osteosarcoma

Abstract Simultaneously eliminating tumor cells and filling the bone defects after tumor resection is still highly challenging for clinical bone tumor treatment. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, which provides scaffolds with patient-specific accurate geometry and desirable feature, has gained great attention for supplying a promising candidate for therapy of bone tumors. In this work, we constructed multifunctional scaffolds by coating hemin and DOX on the strut surface of 3D-printed bioactive glass ceramics (BGC-HM-DOX). Owing to the surficial hemin particles, BGC-HM-DOX scaffolds showed excellent photothermal response under NIR laser irradiation. Besides, BGC-HM-DOX scaffolds could effectively kill osteosarcoma cells in vitro and suppress tumor growth in vivo via the combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, this scaffold may provide a high clinical potential for precision medicine in tumor-induced bone defect management.