NIR stimulus-responsive core-shell type nanoparticles based on photothermal conversion for enhanced antitumor...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Developing targeted drug delivery systems is crucial for effective cancer therapy.
• Photothermal therapy offers a localized treatment modality for tumors.
• Combining chemotherapy with photothermal therapy can enhance treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize novel core-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and indocyanine green (ICG).
• To investigate the synergistic chemo-photothermal cancer therapy potential of these CSNPs.
• To evaluate the targeted delivery and efficacy of CSNPs in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Core-shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) were fabricated using electrostatically self-assembled mesoporous silica nanoparticles and modified lecithin.
• CSNPs were loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and indocyanine green (ICG).
• Folate (FA) modification was employed for targeted delivery to folate receptors.

Main Results:

• The CSNPs exhibited a uniform size of 47 nm and stability in PBS.
• Drug release was controllable under low pH conditions, and ICG-loaded CSNPs showed efficient photothermal conversion (up to 45 °C).
• FA-modified CSNPs demonstrated increased cellular uptake and significant inhibition of MCF-7 cancer cells (91.8% apoptosis).

Conclusions:

• The developed CSNPs are effective for co-delivery of DOX and ICG, enabling synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy.
• FA-targeted CSNPs show promise for enhanced cancer treatment.
• These nanoparticles hold potential for future cancer therapy applications.