Ji Hyeon Kim

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also called tumor-initiating cells (TICs), have been studied intensively due to their rapid proliferation, migration, and role in the recurrence of cancer. In general, CSC marker-positive cells [CD133, CD44, CD166, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)] exhibit a 100-fold increased capacity to initiate cancer. Within a heterogeneous tumor mass, only approximately 0.05-3% of cells are suspected to be CSCs and able to proliferate und

Porous organic polymers (POPs) are prepared by crosslinked polymerization of multidimensional rigid aromatic building blocks. Generally, POPs can be classified into crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and other poorly crystalline or amorphous porous polymers. Due to their remarkable intrinsic properties, such as high porosity, stability, tunability, and presence of numerous building blocks, several new POPs are being developed for application across various scientific fields. The esse

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has garnered extensive attention as a noninvasive treatment for deep tumors. Furthermore, imiquimod (R837), an FDA-approved toll-like receptor 7 agonist, is commonly used in clinical settings as an immune adjuvant. We prepared an activatable sonodynamic sensitizer platform (MR) based on glutathione-sensitive disulfide bonds linking Leu-MB, the reduced form of methylene blue (MB), and R837 to achieve efficient combinatory SDT and immunotherapy for tumors without harming

Although metallacycle-based supramolecular photosensitizers (PSs) have attracted increasing attention in biomedicine, their clinical translation is still hindered by their inherent dark toxicity. Herein, we report what to our knowledge is the first example of a molecular engineering approach to building blocks of metallacycles for constructing a series of supramolecular PSs (RuA-RuD), with the aim of simultaneously reducing dark toxicity and enhancing phototoxicity, and consequently obtaining hi

Breast cancer consists of heterogenic subpopulations, which determine the prognosis and response to chemotherapy. Among these subpopulations, a very limited number of cancer cells are particularly problematic. These cells, known as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), are thought responsible for metastasis and recurrence. They are thus major contributor to the unfavorable outcomes seen for many breast cancer patients. BCSCs are more prevalent in the hypoxic niche. This is an oxygen-deprived environ

We report a novel multifunctional construct, M1, designed explicitly to target the DNA damage response in cancer cells. M1 contains both a floxuridine (FUDR) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor combined with a GSH-sensitive linker. Further conjugation of the triphenylphosphonium moiety allows M1 to undergo specific activation in the mitochondria, where mitochondria-mediated apoptosis is observed. Moreover, M1 has enormous effects on genomic DNA ascribed to FUDR's primary function of impe

Abstract During photothermal therapy (PTT), hyperthermia up to 50 ° C is required for efficient induction of tumor cell death. Additional increases in temperature can lead to severe damage to adjacent tissues. Conversely, insufficient heating of deep‐seated tumor tissues results in tumor recurrence. Sensitization of tumor cells to PTT may solve this problem. Stress granules (SGs) function in integration of various internal and external stresses to regulate cell viability. However, the role of SG

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of the most useful chemicals in photo-therapeutic and catalytic applications. In order to effectively generate ROS, the role of light-absorbing photosensitizers or activators for pre-ROS sources like peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is significantly essential. Although metal-based ROS-generating materials have been widely utilized due to the affordable heavy atom effect or viable catalytic sites, the potential toxicity of leached metal ions can be sometimes an undesi

Chemotherapy typically destroys the tumor mass but rarely eradicates the cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can drive metastatic recurrence. A key current challenge is finding ways to eradicate CSCs and suppress their characteristics. Here, we report a prodrug, <b>Nic-A</b>, created by combining a carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) inhibitor, acetazolamide, with a signal transducer and transcriptional activator 3 (STAT3) inhibitor, niclosamide. <b>Nic-A</b> was designed to target triple-negative breast can

Targeting cancer cells with high specificity is one of the most essential yet challenging goals of tumor therapy. Because different surface receptors, transporters, and integrins are overexpressed specifically on tumor cells, using these tumor cell-specific properties to improve drug targeting efficacy holds particular promise. Targeted fluorescent prodrugs not only improve intracellular accumulation and bioavailability but also report their own localization and activation through real-time chan

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple nervous system cell types. During embryonic development, the concentrations of soluble biological molecules have a critical role in controlling cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and apoptosis. In an effort to find optimal culture conditions for the generation of desired cell types <i>in vitro</i>, we used a microfluidic chip-generated growth factor gradient system. In the current study, NSCs in t

Peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), a powerful biological oxidant, is produced in the mitochondria and reacts with many biomolecular targets under various pathological conditions, leading to a range of disease states. In this work, we developed a nanoliposome-encapsulated ratiometrically fluorescent probe (<b>NRF</b>) based on a hemicyanine structure <b>Cy-O</b> obtained by facile synthesis. Upon reaction with ONOO^-, the oxidation and hydrolysis of a π-conjugation system within the nano

We report a glycyrrhetinic-acid (GA)-decorated small-molecule conjugate for pH-triggered near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our in vitro studies demonstrated that the conjugate, referred to as NIR-GA, was efficiently taken up by liver cancer cell lines such as HepG2 and Huh7 through an endocytic pathway mediated by GA receptors. As suggested by co-localization studies, NIR-GA mainly localized in the lysosome, where the acidic pH results in the activation