NIR-light-triggered delivery of doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for synergistic cancer therapy on DMBA/TPA induced tumor-bearing mice

Abstract

In this study, we developed NIR-light responsive poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) by incorporating the ICG dye for the local delivery of small-molecule drugs and therapeutics. Since NIR light can penetrate the skin up to a depth of 2 mm, it allows externally controlled photothermal-induced drug release. The synthesized NPs had a size of approximately 100 nm upon conjugation with a model anticancer drug, doxorubicin (Dox), which demonstrated in vivo NIR-derived heat generation exceeding 45 °C within 5 minutes. The in vivo efficacy of these NPs was evaluated by administering them via the tail vein route in DMBA/TPA-treated mice, resulting in a significant decrease in tumor size (from 15 to 1 mm³). Histological results obtained from sacrificed tumor tissue also clearly supported the therapeutic activity of the developed NPs. This study indicates that NIR-guided PLGA-based NPs allow the localized delivery of therapeutics in a spatially controlled manner, potentially improving overall patient care.