A Ru^II Polypyridyl Alkyne Complex Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Combined Photodynamic/Photothermal/Chemotherapy

Despite drug delivery nanoplatforms receiving extensive attention, development of a simple, effective, and multifunctional theranostics nanoplatform still remains a challenge. Herein, a versatile nanoplatform based on a zirconium framework (UiO-66-N₃ ) was synthesized, which demonstrated a combined photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemotherapy (CT) for cancer treatment. A Ru^II polypyridyl alkyne complex (Ra) as a photosensitizer was modified into a nanoplatform by click reactions for the first time. When exposed to suitable light irradiation, the as-prepared multifunctional nanoplatform (UiO-Ra-DOX-CuS) not only demonstrated efficient ¹ O₂ generation, but also exhibited excellent photothermal conversion ability. In particular, the nanotherapeutic agent presented a dual-stimuli response; either acidic environment or NIR laser irradiation would trigger the drug release. The synergetic efficacy of UiO-Ra-DOX-CuS combined PDT, PTT, and CT, which was evaluated by cell experiments. Moreover, the design could promote the development of Ru^II polypyridyl alkyne complexes based multifunctional nanoparticles and multimodal cancer treatment.