In situ aqueous synthesis of genetically engineered polypeptide-capped AgS quantum dots for second near-infrared fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.

AgS quantum dots have received extensive attention as theranostic agents for second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence and photoacoustic dual-mode imaging, and photothermal therapy. However, it is still greatly challenging to synthesize AgS quantum dots using aqueous synthesis. In this study, genetically engineered polypeptide-capped AgS quantum dots were successfully synthesized.

A near-infrared light-controlled smart nanocarrier with reversible polypeptide-engineered valve for targeted fluorescence-photoacoustic bimodal imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy.

Despite burgeoning development of nanoplatform made in the past few years, it remains a challenge to produce drug nanocarrier that enables requested on/off drug release. Thus, this study aimed to develop an ideal near-infrared light-triggered smart nanocarrier for targeted imaging-guided treatment of cancer that tactfully integrated photothermal therapy with chemotherapy to accurately control drug release time and dosage. This delivery system was composed of AgS QD coating with dendritic mesoporous silica (DMSN), which acted as nanocarrier of doxorubicin localized inside pores.

Tumor Starvation Induced Spatiotemporal Control over Chemotherapy for Synergistic Therapy.

By integrating the characteristics of each therapy modality and material chemistry, a multitherapy modality is put forward: tumor starvation triggered synergism with sensitized chemotherapy. Following starvation-induced amplification of pathological abnormalities in tumors, chemotherapy is arranged to be locally activated and accurately reinforced to perfect multitherapy synergism from spatial and temporal perspectives. To this end, glucose oxidase (GOD) and a hypoxic prodrug of tirapazamine (TPZ) are loaded in acidity-decomposable calcium carbonate (CaCO ) nanoparticles concurrently tethered by hyaluronic acid.

Graphene oxide coating core-shell silver sulfide@mesoporous silica for active targeted dual-mode imaging and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy against tumors.

The accurate treatment of tumors with the help of multimodality imaging is of great significance. Herein, a novel multifunctional probe combining active targeted fluorescent imaging (FL)/photoacoustic imaging (PA) and chemo-photothermal therapy for tumors has been designed. Targeting molecule folate (FA) modified graphene oxide (GO) was used to coat core-shell silver sulfide@mesoporous silica (QD@Si) while antitumoral doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded in mesoporous channels by electrostatic adhesion, and a delivery system (QD@Si-D/GO-FA) for active targeted dual-mode imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal for tumors was successfully obtained.

A multifunctional targeting probe with dual-mode imaging and photothermal therapy used in vivo.

Background: AgS has the characteristics of conventional quantum dot such as broad excitation spectrum, narrow emission spectrum, long fluorescence lifetime, strong anti-bleaching ability, and other optical properties. Moreover, since its fluorescence emission is located in the NIR-II region, has stronger penetrating ability for tissue. AgS quantum dot has strong absorption during the visible and NIR regions, it has good photothermal and photoacoustic response under certain wavelength excitation.

Folic acid modified Pluronic F127 coating AgS quantum dot for photoacoustic imaging of tumor cell-targeting.

In this study, an oil-soluble AgS quantum dot (QD) was synthesized through thermal decomposition using the single-source precursor method, and Pluronic F127 (PF127), a triblock copolymer functionalized with folic acid (FA), was deposited on the surface of the QD, then a water-soluble PF127-FA@AgS nanoprobe with targeting ability was fabricated. The as-prepared PF127-FA@AgS exhibited spheroidal morphology and high dispersibility, with average diameters of 115 ± 20.7 nm (as observed by transmission electron microscopy).

In Vivo Computed Tomography/Photoacoustic Imaging and NIR-Triggered Chemo-Photothermal Combined Therapy Based on a Gold Nanostar-, Mesoporous Silica-, and Thermosensitive Liposome-Composited Nanoprobe.

Safe multifunctional nanoplatforms that have multiple therapeutic functions integrated with imaging capabilities are highly desired for biomedical applications. In this paper, targeted chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy and photoacoustic/computed tomography imaging of tumors were achieved by one novel multifunctional nanoprobe (GMS/DOX@SLB-FA); it was composed of a gold nanostar core and a doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded mesoporous silica shell (GMS), which was coated with a folic acid (FA)-modified thermosensitively supported lipid bilayer (SLB-FA) as a gatekeeper. The multifunctional probe had perfect dispersion and stability; 2.