Abstract
Abstract Biological systems have high transparence to 700–1100-nm near-infrared (NIR) light. Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) have high optical absorbance in this spectrum. This optical property of BPQDs integrates both diagnostic and therapeutic functions together in an all-in-one processing system in cancer theranostic approaches. In the present study, BPQDs were synthesized and functionalized by targeting moieties (PEG-NH2-FA) and were further loaded with anticancer drugs (doxorubicin) for photodynamic–photothermal–chemotherapy. The precise killing of cancer cells was achieved by linking BPQDs with folate moiety (folic acid), internalizing BPQDs inside cancer cells with folate receptors and NIR triggering, without affecting the receptor-free cells. These in vitro experiments confirm that the agent exhibited an efficient photokilling effect and a light-triggered and heat-induced drug delivery at the precise tumor sites. Furthermore, the nanoplatform has good biocompatibility and effectively obliterates tumors in nude mice, showing no noticeable damages to noncancer tissues. Importantly, this nanoplatform can inhibit tumor growth through visualized synergistic treatment and photoacoustic and photothermal imaging. The present design of versatile nanoplatforms can allow for the adjustment of nanoplatforms for good treatment efficacy and multiplexed imaging, providing an innovation for targeted tumor treatment.
Highlights
Cancer remains as a major disease with high morbidity and mortality [1, 2]
The tumor was allowed to grow to 100 mm3. These animals were arbitrarily divided into four groups, with six mice per group: tail vein injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as control group (G1); tail vein injected with PEG@Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs)@doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) with laser irradiation (G2); tail vein injected with folic acid (FA)-PEG@BPQD@DOX (G3); and tail vein injected with FA-PEG@BPQD@DOX with laser irradiation (G4)
Lattice fringes with an interplanar spacing of 0.34 nm were presented in the high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) (HRTEM) images, which was very similar to the (021) planes of the Black phosphorus (BP) (Figure 2B, C)
Summary
Chemotherapy, surgery, and combined strategies remain as the cornerstone in cancer treatment [3, 4] These treatment methods often have poor efficacy due to the lack of targeting abilities and severe side effects [5, 6]. Black phosphorus (BP) has a higher ratio of surface to volume, when compared to other two-dimensional (2D) materials [13,14,15], such as selenium, transition metal disulfide (TMD), and graphene, for the puckered lattice configuration. This property of BP may increase its capacity for drug loading. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of a drug delivery system that targets FR in a mouse tumor model of 293T cells
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