Light-driven micromotor swarm induced in-situ polymerization and synergistic photothermal therapy

Abstract

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising tumor therapy with advantages of spatially directed light, minimal invasiveness, and reduced treatment time. However, poor accumulation of photothermal agents at the tumor site and insufficient penetration of NIR light severely restrict PTT therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report the maneuverable swarming of micromotors induces targeted polymerization of dopamine, and offers a synergistic photothermal strategy to eradicate tumors precisely and efficiently. Under NIR, the Au/Cu micromotors successfully swarm to the illumination area. In situ polymerization of dopamine was induced thereby producing photothermal polydopamine bound to the glioma cells to block the cellular nutrient supply and generate heat, showing great potential in precise and efficient photothermal therapy. Remarkably, by accurate in-situ polymerization of polydopamine, thus sufficient contact between the photothermal agent and the tumor cells, a cellular targeting photothermal therapy with low tumor cell viability, can be achieved. This is also the first study to report on the controllable swarm of motors to provide propulsion and heat for in situ polymerization in biological systems..