Hollow Structured Y₂O₃:Yb/Er–Cu_xS Nanospheres with Controllable Size for Simultaneous Chemo/Photothermal Therapy and Bioimaging

Abstract

To integrate photothermal therapy (PTT) with chemotherapy for improved antitumor efficiency, we designed a novel multifunctional composite by attaching Cu x S nanoparticles onto the surface of Y 2 O 3 :Yb/Er hollow spheres through a combined coprecipitation and subsequent hydrothermal route. By altering the initial pH values for the synthesis of precursors, the size and structure properties of the final composites can controllably be tuned. The conjugated folic acid (FA) makes the composite recognize the targeted cancer cells and the attached Cu x S nanoparticles endow the composite with photothermal function. It is found that the release of doxorubicin (DOX) from the functional carrier could be triggered by both pH value and near-infrared (NIR) radiation. In particular, both PTT and chemotherapy can be simultaneously driven by 980 nm laser irradiation. The synergistic therapeutic effect based on PTT and chemotherapy can lead to low in vitro viability of 12.9% and highly strong inhibition of animal H22 tumor in vivo, which is superior to any individual therapy. Moreover, the composite exhibits the clear in vivo red upconversion luminescence (UCL). This multifunctional nanocarrier can be applicable as bioimaging agent and effective antitumor agent for the synergistic interaction between PTT and the enhanced chemotherapy.

Simultaneous morphology manipulation and upconversion luminescence enhancement of β-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ microcrystals by simply tuning the KF dosage

“…As a significant class of rare earth compounds, rare earth (RE) fluorides have been become a research focus in the material field due to their unique applications in optical communications, three-dimensional displays, solid-state laser, photocatalysis, solar cells, biochemical probes and medical diagnostics910111213. Among them, NaYF 4 has been regarded as one of the most excellent host lattices for performing multicolor upconversion (UC) luminescence of the doped RE ions, due to its low phonon energy, high chemical stability and good optical transparency over a wide wavelength range14151617.…”

Mesoporous NaYF4:Yb,Er@Au–Pt(iv)-FA nanospheres for dual-modal imaging and synergistic photothermal/chemo-anti-cancer therapy

“…The precursor of Y(OH)CO 3 :Yb/Er was synthesized through co-precipitation method. 56 Note that the sizes could be easily controlled by adjusting the initial pH values. Briefly, 1 mol L -1 of Ln(NO 3 ) 3 (Ln = Y, Yb, and Er) solutions were firstly prepared by dissolving rare earth oxides into nitric acid with continuous heating.…”

Multifunctional Cu39S28 hollow nanopeanuts for in vivo targeted photothermal chemotherapy

“…However, for mesoporous silica 27 and template methods, they are tedious, present low product yield and have limited drug loading capacity. 28–31 Especially, the complicated surface modification for further conjugation with targeted groups was really exhausted. 31, 32 Thus, developing targeted hollow CuS nanoparticles combine with photothermal and chemotherapy is still challenge and desirable.…”