A Hollow‐Structured CuS@Cu₂S@Au Nanohybrid: Synergistically Enhanced Photothermal Efficiency and Photoswitchable Targeting Effect for Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

It is of great importance in drug delivery to fabricate multifunctional nanocarriers with intelligent targeting properties, for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Herein, hollow-structured CuS@Cu S@Au nanoshell/satellite nanoparticles are designed and synthesized for enhanced photothermal therapy and photoswitchable targeting theranostics. The remarkably improved photothermal conversion efficiency of CuS@Cu S@Au under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation can be explained by the reduced bandgap and more circuit paths for electron transitions for CuS and Cu S modified with Au nanoparticles, as calculated by the Vienna ab initio simulation package, based on density functional theory. By modification of thermal-isomerization RGD targeting molecules and thermally sensitive copolymer on the surface of nanoparticles, the transition of the shielded/unshielded mode of RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) targeting molecules and shrinking of the thermally sensitive polymer by NIR photoactivation can realize a photoswitchable targeting effect. After loading an anticancer drug doxorubicin in the cavity of CuS@Cu S@Au, the antitumor therapy efficacy is greatly enhanced by combining chemo- and photothermal therapy. The reported nanohybrid can also act as a photoacoustic imaging agent and an NIR thermal imaging agent for real-time imaging, which provides a versatile platform for multifunctional theranostics and stimuli-responsive targeted cancer therapy.

Macrophages loaded CpG and GNR-PEI for combination of tumor photothermal therapy and immunotherapy

“…2c, a maximum absorption peak for the original GNR-PEI was around 802 nm. While for GNR-PEI/CpG complex, the peak slightly redshifted to 817 nm and the intensity also exhibited obvious enhancement, which was mainly due to the increased dielectric constant and the formation of hydrogen bonding between GNR-PEI and CpG [35]. For naked CpG group, no absorption was detected under our experimental conditions.…”

Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Decorated Two‐Dimensional Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenides Nanomaterials for Chemo‐Photothermal Therapy

“…Targeting to the accurate diagnosis and effective therapy of tumor cells, a nanoplatform of aptamer and PEG conjugated MoS 2 NSs decorated with Cu 1.8 S NPs (ATPMC) was developed by Zhang's group, recently (Figure b, c). Copper sulfide characterized by low cost, low toxicity, high stability and high photothermal conversion efficiency is emerging as a promising photothermal conversion agents . The NIR light absorption of CuS NPs is derived from the d–d energy band transition of Cu 2+ ions, which is not affected by the particle shape, size and surrounding environment .…”

“…Copper sulfide characterized by low cost, low toxicity,h igh stabilitya nd high photothermal conversion efficiency is emerging as ap romising photothermal conversion agents. [10] The NIR light absorption of CuS NPs is derived from the d-d energyb and transition of Cu 2 + ions, which is not affected by the particle shape, size and surrounding environment. [60] The prepared ATPMC nanoplatform was adopted to accomplish photoluminescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and photothermal imaging for in vitro and in vivo tumor cells imaging diagnosis.…”

Selective Solid‐Liquid Interface Sulfidation Growth of Hierarchical Copper Sulfide and Its Hybrid Nanoflakes for Superior Lithium‐Ion Storage

“…As a typical group of 2D materials, metal sulfides show a good combination of unique structural merits with cost effectiveness, appropriate band gap (around 1∼2 eV) and electronic conductivity superior to counterpart metal oxides owning to the relative weaker M−S ionic bonds than M−O bonds . As such, metal sulfides and their 2D hybrids are demonstrated to be overwhelming in various areas like energy storage, photocatalyst, photothermal therapy, biosensing and so on . For example, MoS 2 and WS 2 exhibit tunable electronic structures between semi‐conductive and metallic phases, making them and their hybrids attractive for high‐rate metal ion batteries and electronics; Intrinsic near‐infrared region absorption of CuS derived from energy band transitions has been widely explored for photothermal ablation of cancer cells .…”