NIR-light active hybrid nanoparticles for combined imaging and bimodal therapy of cancerous cells

We report the synthesis of a multifunctional biocompatible theranostic nanoplatform consisting of a biodegradable PLGA matrix surface-functionalized with indocyanine green (ICG), a near-IR fluorescent dye, and co-loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOXO). Combination of chemo- and photothermal therapeutic efficacy as well as magnetic resonance and optical fluorescence imaging performance were successfully tested in vitro on a tumoral cervical HeLa cell line. Magnetic in vitro guided targeting of these nanoplatforms was also proven. These nanoconstructs also enabled to monitor their in vivo biodistribution by fluorescence imaging in a mice model, which revealed their effective accumulation in the tumor and, unexpectedly, in the brain area. A lower presence of nanoplatforms was noted in the reticulo-endothelial system. The present observations suggest the nanoplatforms ability to possibly overcome the blood brain barrier. These results open up new possibilities to use our multifunctional nanoplatforms to treat brain-located diseases.