Multifunctional Bismuth Selenide Nanocomposites for Antitumor Thermo-Chemotherapy and Imaging

To integrate real-time monitoring and therapeutic functions into a single nanoagent, we have designed and synthesized a drug-delivery platform based on a polydopamine(PDA)/human serum albumin (HSA)/doxorubicin (DOX) coated bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) nanoparticle (NP). The resultant product exhibits high stability and biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to the excellent capability for both X-ray computed tomography (CT) and infrared thermal imaging, the NPs possess strong near-infrared (NIR) absorbance, and high capability and stability of photothermal conversion for efficient photothermal therapy (PTT) applications. Furthermore, a bimodal on-demand pH/photothermal-sensitive drug release has been achieved, resulting in a significant chemotherapeutic effect. Most importantly, the tumor-growth inhibition ratio achieved from thermo-chemotherapy of the Bi2Se3@PDA/DOX/HSA NPs was 92.6%, in comparison to the chemotherapy (27.8%) or PTT (73.6%) alone, showing a superior synergistic therapeutic effect. In addition, there is no noticeable toxicity induced by the NPs in vivo. This multifunctional platform is, therefore, promising for effective, safe and precise antitumor treatment and may stimulate interest in further exploration of drug loading on Bi2Se3 and other competent PTT agents combined with in situ imaging for biomedical applications.