Enhanced porphyrin-based fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic/photothermal synergistic cancer therapy by mitochondrial targeting

Abstract

Mitochondria are the power plants of the cell and play key roles in activating the apoptotic pathway in cancer cells, which are readily susceptible to cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and temperature elevations. Herein, we develop a “nanomissile” that targets mitochondria to enhance tumor treatment effects by facilitating mitochondrial dysfunction and releasing cytochrome C to activate the apoptotic pathway of cancer cells under 650-nm laser irradiation. Porphyrin-grafted polydopamine nanomaterial (PTPF-MitP) is designed as a nanomissile, with integrated O2-evolving photodynamic therapy and moderate photothermal therapy, which can selectively deliver to the mitochondria through a targeting unit, MitP. The cytotoxicity of PTPF-MitP to human lung tumor cells is twice as high as that of PTPF that does not have mitochondrial targeting units. In addition, it represents a realtime visualization and highly efficient treatment for tumor sites in vivo. This development represents a viable strategy for cancer therapy.