Phototriggered N₂-Generating Submicron Particles for Selective Killing of Cancer Cells

Killing of cancer cells by applying mechanical disruption has been an appealing emerging strategy for cancer treatment in recent years. In this study, photoresponsive submicron particles based on diazo-resin that are able to release N₂ under UV irradiation were prepared through a polyamine-salt aggregation method. After surface modification with hyaluronic acid, the particles could be internalized selectively by cancer cells and were mainly located in lysosomes after 6 h incubation. The viability of cancer cells decreased obviously after they were co-cultured with photoresponsive particles and UV irradiation due to the integrity damage of lysosomes by phototriggered N₂ generation and the subsequent increased number of reactive oxygen species.