Microwave ablation (MWA) is a novel treatment modality that can lead to the death of
tumor cells by heating the
ions and polar molecules in the tissue through high-speed vibration and friction. However, the single
hyperthermia is not sufficient to completely inhibit
tumor growth. Herein, a thermodynamic
cancer-therapeutic modality has been fabricated which could be able to overcome
hypoxia's limitations in the tumor microenvironment. Using thermo-sensitive
liposomes (TSLs) and
oxygen-independent radical generators (2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)
propane]dihydrochloride [AIPH]), a
nano-drug delivery system denoted as ATSL is developed for efficient sequential
cancer treatment. Under the microwave field, the temperature rise of local tissue could not only lead to the damage of
tumor cells but also induce the release of AIPH encapsulated in ATSL to produce
free radicals, eliciting
tumor cell death. In addition, the ATSL developed here would avoid the side effects caused by the uncontrolled diffusion of AIPH to normal tissues. The ATSLs have shown excellent
therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its highly promising potential for clinic.