Multifunctional Cu39S28 hollow nanopeanuts for in vivo targeted photothermal chemotherapy

Abstract

Actively targeted hollow nanoparticles may play key roles in precise anti-cancer therapy. Here, unique Cu₃₉S₂₈ hollow nanopeanuts (HNPs) were synthesized via a facile one-step method and the formation mechanism was illustrated. The as-synthesized Cu₃₉S₂₈ HNPs exhibit an outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency (41.1%) and drug storage capacity (DOX, 99.5%). At the same time, the DOX drug loading nanocomposites have shown a highly sensitive response of release to either pH values or near infrared (NIR) rays. In particular, folic acid (FA) can easily conjugate with the synthesized Cu₃₉S₂₈ HNPs without further modification to get a targeted effect. The FA modified Cu₃₉S₂₈ HNPs showed an efficient targeting effect in vitro and could considerably enhance the tumor-targeting effect more than 10 times in vivo. Moreover, the synthetic hyperthermia and drug release from Cu₃₉S₂₈ HNPs when under 808 nm laser irradiation could significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy compared to using photothermal therapy or chemotherapy alone both in vitro and in vivo. The histological studies of the main organs also proved the good biocompatibility of the HNPs, while the tumor sites suffered serious damage due to the accumulation of the nanocomposites and the combined photothermal-chemotherapy effect. Therefore, the multi-functional nanocomposites are excellent antitumor agents due to their superb therapy effect in breast cancer.