A Yolk-like Multifunctional Platform for Multimodal Imaging and Synergistic Therapy Triggered by a Single Near-Infrared Light

Abstract

To integrate photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy for enhanced antitumor efficiency, we developed a mild and rational route to synthesize novel multifunctional GdOF:Ln@SiO2 (Ln = 10%Yb/1%Er/4%Mn) mesoporous capsules using strong up-conversion luminescent (UCL) GdOF:Ln as cores and mesoporous silica layer as shells, followed by modification with varied functional groups onto the framework. It was found that due to the codoped Yb/Er/Mn in GdOF, the markedly enhanced red emission can efficiently transfer energy to the conjugated PDT agent (ZnPc) which produces high singlet oxygen, and the incorporated carbon dots outside the shell can generate obvious thermal effect under 980 nm laser irradiation and also prevent the premature leaking of ZnPc. Simultaneously, the as-produced thermal effect can obviously enhance the doxorubicin (DOX) release, which greatly improves the chemotherapy, resulting in a synergistic therapeutic effect. The system exhibits drastically enhanced therapeutic efficiency against tumor growth, as demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Especially, the doped rare earth ions in the host endow the material with excellent UCL imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) imaging properties, thus realizing the target of multimodal imaging guided multiple therapies.

Folic Acid-Conjugated Doxorubicin-Loaded Photosensitizing Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Anticancer Activity Against Human Cervical Carcinoma Cell Line (Hela)

“…The recent leap is the combined onco-therapeutic technique which is employed for targeting cancers through multiple mechanisms, for instance, a combination of targeted drug delivery and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Specifically, this strategy tends to target various prime signal transduction pathways for the amplification of fused therapeutic efficacy [3]. This combination may also give rise to synergistic effects thereby, leading to a reduction of the dose of the drug for enhanced feasibility, thereby undermining side effects usually associated with chemotherapeutic agents like doxorubicin (DOX) [4].…”

“…The progressing possibilities have given rise to the employment of light-elicited release of chemotherapeutics from photo-responsive nanoparticles (NPs); bearing the capacity to eradicate malignant cells by drawing in external electromagnetic energy [3]. Therefore, the light and chemotherapeutic agent combination is a preeminently stimulating methodology focusing on optimised cancer treatment.…”

"Smart" nickel oxide based core–shell nanoparticles for combined chemo and photodynamic cancer therapy

“…Combined treatments may target different key signal transduction pathways in order to amplify overall therapeutic efficacy. 8,9 This may result in synergistic effects, so that a reduction of the drug dose becomes feasible, may eliminate or at least reduce the side effects usually caused by chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin (DOX). 10,11 A progressively emerging system in such efforts is the lighttriggered release of chemotherapeutics from light-responsive nanocarriers; capable enough to damage or destroy malignant tissues by absorbing external electromagnetic energy.…”

“…10,11 A progressively emerging system in such efforts is the lighttriggered release of chemotherapeutics from light-responsive nanocarriers; capable enough to damage or destroy malignant tissues by absorbing external electromagnetic energy. [8][9][10][11] Thus, the combination of light and chemotherapeutic agents is a predominantly encouraging methodology for optimizing cancer treatment. Such light-triggered drug release can easily be combined with the photodynamic or photothermal modes, ensuring enhanced cancer cell killing through combination therapy.…”

Au Nanorods@NaGdF4/Yb3+,Er3+ Multifunctional Hybrid Nanocomposites with Upconversion Luminescence, Magnetism, and Photothermal Property

“…They have been recently emerged as optical imaging nanoprobes and magnetic resonance image contrast agents for magnetic/optical bimodal detection [13][14][15][16] The upconversion luminescence is usually studied by using the trivalent Er 3+ ions as activators because the metastable levels 4 I 9/2 and 4 I 11/2 can be conveniently populated 17 .…”