Smart yolk-shell type luminescent nanocomposites based on rare-earth complex for NIR–NIR monitor of drug release in chemotherapy

Abstract

Intelligent drug delivery system (IDDS), which can encapsulate and transport the drug to the nidus while monitor the pharmacokinetics behavior, greatly promote the development of tumor therapy. Herein, a smart yolk-shell type nanocomposites based on the covalent encapsulation of a Yb(III) complex in magnetism mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NPs) has been designed and assembled for IDDS. The emission peak of the Yb(III) complex in the IDDS is 980nm when excited by 850nm laser, which is essential for near-infrared excitation and near-infrared emission (NIR-NIR) and real-time drug release monitoring. The magnetism core of the IDDS is crucial for magnetic targeting therapy, while the cavity and mesoporous channel of the shell is prerequisite for high drug loading (15.9%) and encapsulation efficiency (88.5%). Additionally, when pH=5.05, 81.4% of encapsulated DOX will be released because the structure of the coated carboxymethyl chitosan changed. Simultaneously, photoluminescence intensity of the Yb(III) complex become stronger on account of the coordinated DOX leave away and the coordination sphere of the central Yb3+ ions changed. The IDDS can not only deliver the drug and monitor the process of drug release at the right spatial and temporal resolution, but also explore a path for clinical targeted therapy of tumor.