Responsive functionalized MoSe₂ nanosystem for highly efficient synergistic therapy of breast cancer

The photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy is a promising tumor treatment, but developing nanosystems that achieve synchronous photothermal/photodynamic functions is still quite challenging. Here, we use a simple method to synthesize molybdenum selenide nanoparticles (MoSe₂ NPs) with a photothermal effect as a carrier, and load a photosensitizer ICG to form a nanosystem (MoSe₂@ICG-PDA-HA)with dual photothermal/photodynamic functions under near-infrared irradiation. In addition, the surface modification of the nanosystem with acid-responsive release polydopamine (PDA) and tumor-targeted hyaluronic acid (HA) enhanced the stability of the photosensitizer ICG and the accumulation of ICG at tumor sites. The multicellular sphere assay simulated solid tumors and demonstrated that MoSe₂@ICG-PDA-HA could significantly inhibit the 4T1 cell growth. The anti-tumor experiments in tumor-bearing mice showed that MoSe₂@ICG-PDA-HA not only significantly inhibited the growth of 4T1 subcutaneous tumors, but also inhibited their metastasis. This study presented a nanosystem that could improve the photostability of optical materials and enhance the photothermal/photodynamic synergy effect, providing a new idea for finding a way to effectively treat breast cancer.