Facile Approach to Synthesize Gold Nanorod@Polyacrylic Acid/Calcium Phosphate Yolk-Shell Nanoparticles for Dual-Mode Imaging and pH/NIR-Responsive Drug Delivery

Metal ion interference therapy: metal-based nanomaterial-mediated mechanisms and strategies to boost intracellular "ion overload" for cancer treatment

Metal ion interference therapy (MIIT) has emerged as a promising approach in the field of nanomedicine for combatting cancer. With advancements in nanotechnology and tumor targeting-related strategies, sophisticated nanoplatforms have emerged to facilitate efficient MIIT in xenografted mouse models. However, the diverse range of metal ions and the intricacies of cellular metabolism have presented challenges in fully understanding this therapeutic approach, thereby impeding its progress. Thus, to address these issues, various amplification strategies focusing on ionic homeostasis and cancer cell metabolism have been devised to enhance MIIT efficacy. In this review, the remarkable progress in Fe, Cu, Ca, and Zn ion interference nanomedicines and understanding their intrinsic mechanism is summarized with particular emphasis on the types of amplification strategies employed to strengthen MIIT. The aim is to inspire an in-depth understanding of MIIT and provide guidance and ideas for the construction of more powerful nanoplatforms. Finally, the related challenges and prospects of this emerging treatment are discussed to pave the way for the next generation of cancer treatments and achieve the desired efficacy in patients.

Connecting Calcium-Based Nanomaterials and Cancer: From Diagnosis to Therapy

As the indispensable second cellular messenger, calcium signaling is involved in the regulation of almost all physiological processes by activating specific target proteins. The importance of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) makes its "Janus nature" strictly regulated by its concentration. Abnormal regulation of calcium signals may cause some diseases; however, artificial regulation of calcium homeostasis in local lesions may also play a therapeutic role. "Calcium overload," for example, is characterized by excessive enrichment of intracellular Ca²⁺, which irreversibly switches calcium signaling from "positive regulation" to "reverse destruction," leading to cell death. However, this undesirable death could be defined as "calcicoptosis" to offer a novel approach for cancer treatment. Indeed, Ca²⁺ is involved in various cancer diagnostic and therapeutic events, including calcium overload-induced calcium homeostasis disorder, calcium channels dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium-associated immunoregulation, cell/vascular/tumor calcification, and calcification-mediated CT imaging. In parallel, the development of multifunctional calcium-based nanomaterials (e.g., calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium peroxide, and hydroxyapatite) is becoming abundantly available. This review will highlight the latest insights of the calcium-based nanomaterials, explain their application, and provide novel perspective. Identifying and characterizing new patterns of calcium-dependent signaling and exploiting the disease element linkage offer additional translational opportunities for cancer theranostics.

Facile Fabrication of Gold Nanorods@Polystyrenesulfonate Yolk-Shell Nanoparticles for Spaser Applications

We present a method for producing gold nanorods surrounded by a hollow polymeric shell of polystyrenesulfonate and show that the cavities of such particles can be filled with various organic dyes. The approach consists of covering gold nanorods with silica, followed by its slow hydrolysis in an aqueous medium in the presence of the polymer thin layer permeable for dye molecules. The proposed method enables the yolk-shell nanoparticles to be obtained and loaded with organic dyes without a need to use thermal treatment and/or chemical etching, which makes it suitable for use in the creation of spasers.

Polyacrylic Acid Nanoplatforms: Antimicrobial, Tissue Engineering, and Cancer Theranostic Applications

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) is a non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer that gained lots of interest in recent years. PAA nano-derivatives can be obtained by chemical modification of carboxyl groups with superior chemical properties in comparison to unmodified PAA. For example, nano-particles produced from PAA derivatives can be used to deliver drugs due to their stability and biocompatibility. PAA and its nanoconjugates could also be regarded as stimuli-responsive platforms that make them ideal for drug delivery and antimicrobial applications. These properties make PAA a good candidate for conventional and novel drug carrier systems. Here, we started with synthesis approaches, structure characteristics, and other architectures of PAA nanoplatforms. Then, different conjugations of PAA/nanostructures and their potential in various fields of nanomedicine such as antimicrobial, anticancer, imaging, biosensor, and tissue engineering were discussed. Finally, biocompatibility and challenges of PAA nanoplatforms were highlighted. This review will provide fundamental knowledge and current information connected to the PAA nanoplatforms and their applications in biological fields for a broad audience of researchers, engineers, and newcomers. In this light, PAA nanoplatforms could have great potential for the research and development of new nano vaccines and nano drugs in the future.

Truly Multicolor Emissive Hyperbranched Polysiloxane: Synthesis, Mechanism Study, and Visualization of Controlled Drug Release

Unconventional fluorescent polymers have attracted increasing attention due to their facile synthesis, excellent biocompatibility, and novel photophysical properties. In this work, a truly multicolor emissive hyperbranched polysiloxane (HBPSi-β-CD) is obtained through adjusting the distribution of electron-rich atoms and grafting β-cyclodextrin; the quantum yields of HBPSi-β-CD after being excited by 360, 420, 450, and 550 nm are 19.36, 31.46, 46.14 and 44.84%, respectively. The density functional theory calculations reveal that the truly multicolor emission is derived from the formed electron delocalization among the hydroxyl, amine, ether, and -Si(O)₃ groups due to the strong intermolecular interaction, high density of electron-rich atoms, and low steric hindrance among functional groups. The prepared polymers could serve as a multisensitivity sensor in detecting Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Co²⁺. The HBPSi-β-CD shows low cytotoxicity and excellent cellular imaging capability. The self-assembly of HBPSi-β-CD also possesses high drug loading capacity and pH-controlled drug release, especially, the drug delivery system could be applied in the visualization of controlled drug delivery.

Biocompatible copper sulfide-based nanocomposites for artery interventional chemo-photothermal therapy of orthotropic hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial embolization has been considered as a promising targeted delivery approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, chemoembolization was the main treatment for unresectable HCC. However, the traditional chemoembolization treatment suffers from undesirable therapeutic effects and serious side-effects. In this study, the doxorubicin (DOX)-encapsulated and near-infrared (NIR)-responsible copper sulfide (CuS)-based nanotherapeutics was developed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided chemo-photothermal therapy of HCC tumor in rats. The DOX-loaded CuS nanocomposites (DOX@BSA-CuS) demonstrated distinct NIR-triggered drug release behavior and high photothermal effect. In an orthotopic HCC rat model, DOX@BSA-CuS nanocomposites were selectively delivered to the tumor site via the intra-arterial transcatheter. The proposed DOX@BSA-CuS nanocomposites plus NIR laser irradiation exhibited significant tumor growth suppression performance. Moreover, the treatment progress can be monitored by MRI images. Finally, the preliminary toxicity estimate suggested the negligible side-effect of DOX@BSA-CuS nanocomposites during the therapeutic process. These results suggest the clinical translational potential possibility for imaging-guided arterial embolization with DOX@BSA-CuS nanocomposites for the treatment of HCC.

A photo-triggered antifungal nanoplatform with efflux pump and heat shock protein reversal activity for enhanced chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy

Drug-resistant pathogens are less sensitive to traditional antibiotics in many stubborn infections. It is imminently desirable to have an effective alternative therapeutic agent for combating drug-resistant pathogen infections. Herein, a photo-triggered multifunctional nanoplatform (TMOB/FLU@PCM NPs) with efflux pump and heat shock protein expression reversal activity is developed for the highly effective eradication of drug-resistant fungi. Upon 808 nm laser excitation, the hyperthermia originating from a BODIPY derivative (TMOB) can not only melt the phase-change material (PCM) vehicle consisting of hexadecanol and cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) to on-demand release the quorum sensing molecule BDSF and the antifungal drug fluconazole (FLU), but can also destroy the integrity of the C. albicans cell membrane. Thanks to the release of BDSF from TMOB/FLU@PCM NPs, the expression of drug efflux pumps (MDR1, CDR2, CDR4) and thermotolerant proteins (HSP12, HSP21, HSP60, HSP90) is inhibited, which further boosts the therapeutic effect of chemo/photothermal therapy. Moreover, the hyphal and biofilm formation of C. albicans can be blocked by TMOB/FLU@PCM NPs under 808 nm laser irradiation. In vitro and in vivo results indicate that TMOB/FLU@PCM NPs with good biosafety can efficiently eliminate clinical azole-resistant C. albicans. Thus, TMOB/FLU@PCM NPs exhibits a promising future in the treatment of azole-resistant C. albicans infection.

Ultra-small gold nanoparticles self-assembled by gadolinium ions for enhanced photothermal/photodynamic liver cancer therapy

Gold nanomaterials are widely used in biomedical research as drug delivery systems, imaging agents and therapeutic materials owing to their unique physicochemical properties and high biocompatibility. In this study, we prepared ultra-small gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and induced them with gadolinium ions to form a spherical self-assembly. The nanoparticles were coupled with matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and loaded with the photosensitive drug IR820 for photothermal/photodynamic combination therapy of liver cancer. The formed nanoprobes were metabolised in vivo via degradation under dual-mode real-time imaging because of their acid response degradation characteristics. In addition, the nanoprobe showed excellent tumour-targeting ability due to the presence of surface-modified MMP-2. In vivo treatment experiments revealed that the nanoprobes achieved enhanced photodynamic/photothermal combination therapy under laser irradiation and significantly inhibited tumour growth. Therefore, the nanoprobes have great potential for anti-tumour therapy guided by dual-mode real-time imaging of liver cancer.

Plasmonic gold nanostructures for biosensing and bioimaging

As one kind of noble metal nanostructures, the plasmonic gold nanostructures possess unique optical properties as well as good biocompatibility, satisfactory stability, and multiplex functionality. These distinctive advantages make the plasmonic gold nanostructures an ideal medium in developing methods for biosensing and bioimaging. In this review, the optical properties of the plasmonic gold nanostructures were firstly introduced, and then biosensing in vitro based on localized surface plasmon resonance, Rayleigh scattering, surface-enhanced fluorescence, and Raman scattering were summarized. Subsequently, application of the plasmonic gold nanostructures for in vivo bioimaging based on scattering, photothermal, and photoacoustic techniques  has been also briefly covered. At last, conclusions of the selected examples are presented and an outlook of this research topic is given.

NIR responsive AuNR/pNIPAM/PEGDA inverse opal hydrogel microcarriers for controllable drug delivery

A novel inverse opal microcarrier with both NIR-controlled release and visual color changes for drug delivery.

ICG-loaded gold nano-bipyramids with NIR activatable dual PTT-PDT therapeutic potential in melanoma cells

A great amount of effort is directed towards the progress of cancer treatment approaches aspiring to develop non-invasive, targeted and highly efficient therapies. In this context, Photothermal (PTT) and Photodynamic (PDT) Therapies were proven as promising. This work aims to integrate the therapeutic activities of two near-infrared (NIR) photoactive biomaterials - gold nano-bipyramids (AuBPs) and Indocyanine Green (ICG) - into one single targeted hybrid nanosystem able to operate as dual PTT-PDT agent with higher efficiency compared with each one alone. Firstly, different aspect ratio' AuBPs were systematically investigated in water solution for their intrinsic ability to efficiently generate toxic reactive oxygen species, namely oxygen singlet (¹O₂), under NIR laser irradiation, as this effect is less investigated in literature. Interestingly, the photodynamic activity of AuBPs measured by monitoring the photooxidation of 9,10-Anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonic acid (ABDA) - a well-known ¹O₂ sensor, is important, counting for 30 % decrease in ABDA optical absorbance for the most active AuBPs, well-correlating with the previously determined photothermal conversion efficiency. Furthermore, ICG was successfully grafted onto the Poly-lactic acid (PLA) coating of plasmonic nanoparticles and, consequently, the as-designed fully integrated hybrid nanosystem shows improved PTT-PDT performance in solution. Specifically, by triggering simultaneous PTT-PDT activities, the ¹O₂ amount is doubled, while the heating monitoring shows higher and faster increase in temperature compared to AuBPs alone. Finally, the efficiency of the combined PTT-PDT therapeutic activity was validated in vitro against B16-F10 cell line by covalent conjugation of the nanosystem with Folic Acid, which ensures the cellular recognition by overexpression of folate receptor.

Application of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy

Nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanorods, nanosphere, nanoshells, and nanostars, are very commonly used in biomedical imaging and cancer therapy. They make excellent drug carriers, imaging contrast agents, photothermal agents, photoacoustic agents, and radiation dose enhancers, among other applications. Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the use of nanomaterials in many areas of functional imaging, cancer therapy, and synergistic combinational platforms. This review will systematically explore various applications of nanomaterials in biomedical imaging and cancer therapy. The medical imaging modalities include magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computerized tomography, optical imaging, ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging. Various cancer therapeutic methods will also be included, including photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. This review also covers theranostics, which use the same agent in diagnosis and therapy. This includes recent advances in multimodality imaging, image-guided therapy, and combination therapy. We found that the continuous advances of synthesis and design of novel nanomaterials will enhance the future development of medical imaging and cancer therapy. However, more resources should be available to examine side effects and cell toxicity when using nanomaterials in humans.

Applications of Mesoporous Silica-Encapsulated Gold Nanorods Loaded Doxorubicin in Chemo-photothermal Therapy

We investigate the chemo-photothermal effects of gold nanorods (GNRs) coated using mesoporous silica (mSiO₂) loading doxorubicin (DOX). When the mesoporous silica layer is embedded by doxorubicin drugs, a significant change in absorption spectra enables to quantify the drug loading. We carried out photothermal experiments on saline and livers of mice having GNRs@mSiO₂ and GNRs@mSiO₂-DOX. We also injected the gold nanostructures into many tumor-implanted mice and used laser illumination on some of them. By measuring the weight and size of tumors, the distinct efficiency of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy on treatment is determined. We experimentally confirm the accumulation of gold nanostructures in the liver.

The Basic Properties of Gold Nanoparticles and their Applications in Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely studied and applied in the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment because of their special fundamental properties. In order to make AuNPs more suitable for tumor diagnosis and treatment, their natural properties and the interrelationships between these properties should be systematically and profoundly understood. The natural properties of AuNPs were discussed from two aspects: physical and chemical. Among the physical properties of AuNPs, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), radioactivity and high X-ray absorption coefficient are widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. As an advantage over many other nanoparticles in chemicals, AuNPs can form stable chemical bonds with S-and N-containing groups. This allows AuNPs to attach to a wide variety of organic ligands or polymers with a specific function. These surface modifications endow AuNPs with outstanding biocompatibility, targeting and drug delivery capabilities. In this review, we systematically summarized the physicochemical properties of AuNPs and their intrinsic relationships. Then the latest research advancements and the developments of basic research and clinical trials using these properties are summarized. Further, the difficulties to be overcome and possible solutions in the process from basic laboratory research to clinical application are discussed. Finally, the possibility of applying the results to clinical trials was estimated. We hope to provide a reference for peer researchers to better utilize the excellent physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles in oncotherapy.

Rational design of yolk–shell nanostructures for drug delivery

The recent progress in yolk–shell nanoparticles (YSNPs) as a new class of hollow nanostructures applied for drug delivery.

Superstructure of silver crystals in a caged framework for plasmonic inverse sensing

Lowering the limit of detection is key to the design of sensors. Conventional transducers generate a signal proportional to the concentration of the molecule, but low concentrations are still difficult to detect with confidence. Here we present an inverse sensor that induces a signal that is larger when the target molecule is less concentrated. Each sensor consists of a micro-pot reactor with an inner volume for storing the reactants and the cage walls, over which many silver hotspots are spread, working as optical antenna to produce amplification of the signal. The aim is to attain inverse sensitivity during the enzymatic reaction, where reduction of the silver occurs. We demonstrate the sensitivity and robustness of this approach by detecting glucose concentrations down to 10^-12 M.

Hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres for imaging-guided light-activated synergistic thermo-chemotherapy

Carbon-based light-activated materials can absorb optical energy to generate photoacoustic (PA) signals for imaging or transduce optical photons to thermal energy, which holds great promise for biomedical applications. Herein, we synthesize hollow and mesoporous carbon nanospheres (HMCNs) with uniform size on a large scale. The properties of hollow cavity and mesoporous structures make the HMCNs achieve high drug loading (480 mg DOX per g HMCNs). The present intense near infrared (NIR) absorbance achieves excellent photoacoustic imaging ability and photothermal conversion efficacy (32.0%). More interestingly, the encapsulated drugs can have a triggered release under NIR irradiation. The investigations in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that HMCNs have excellent biocompatibility, and accumulate in tumors by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Moreover, under NIR irradiation, in vivo evaluation shows that HMCNs can perform strong PA imaging, and induce great tumor inhibition by the combination of chemotherapy and PTT under the guidance of photoacoustic imaging. The present study provides new insight for design of novel biocompatible light-activated carbons for cancer nanotheranostics.

Core-Shell Gold Nanorod@Layered Double Hydroxide Nanomaterial with Highly Efficient Photothermal Conversion and Its Application in Antibacterial and Tumor Therapy

Photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of gold nanorods (GNRs) can be tuned by enlarging the aspect ratio and forming the core-shell structure. Herein, an easy synthesis method is developed to construct the core-shell GNR@LDH nanostructure with GNRs and layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The interaction between Au and LDHs results some electron deficiency on the surface of Au and the more electrons induce more thermal energy conversion. The η value of GNR@LDH can reach up to 60% under the 808 nm laser irradiation, which is a significant enhanced conversion efficiency compared with the reported GNR-based photothermal therapy materials. CTAB (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) can be replaced totally during the synthesis process, and GNRs maintain a good dispersion in LDHs. This core-shell composite GNR@LDH can be applied in photothermal, antibacterial, tumor therapy and biological imaging with low dosage and nontoxicity.

Calcium phosphate nanocarriers for drug delivery to tumors: imaging, therapy and theranostics

Calcium phosphate (CaP) was engineered as a drug delivery nanocarrier nearly 50 years ago due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In recent years, several approaches have been developed for the preparation of size-controllable, stable and multifunctional CaP nanocarriers, and several targeting moieties have also been decorated on the surface of these nanocarriers for active targeting. The CaP nanocarriers have been utilized for loading probes, nucleic acids, anticancer drugs and photosensitizers for cancer imaging, therapy and theranostics. Herein, we reviewed the recent advances in the preparation strategies of CaP nanocarriers and the applications of these nanocarriers in tumor diagnosis, gene delivery, drug delivery and theranostics and finally provided perspectives.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Silica-Based Drug Delivery System for Spinal Cord Injury Therapy

Acute inflammation is a central component in the progression of spinal cord injury (SCI). Anti-inflammatory drugs used in the clinic are often administered systemically at high doses, which can paradoxically increase inflammation and result in drug toxicity. A cluster-like mesoporous silica/arctigenin/CAQK composite (MSN-FC@ARC-G) drug delivery system was designed to avoid systemic side effects of high-dose therapy by enabling site-specific drug delivery to the spinal cord. In this nanosystem, mesoporous silica was modified with the FITC fluorescent molecule and CAQK peptides that target brain injury and SCI sites. The size of the nanocarrier was kept at approximately 100 nm to enable penetration of the blood-brain barrier. Arctigenin, a Chinese herbal medicine, was loaded into the nanosystem to reduce inflammation. The in vivo results showed that MSN-FC@ARC-G could attenuate inflammation at the injury site. Behavior and morphology experiments suggested that MSN-FC@ARC-G could diminish local microenvironment damage, especially reducing the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-17-related inflammatory factors, inhibiting the activation of astrocytes, thus protecting neurons and accelerating the recovery of SCI. Our study demonstrated that this novel, silica-based drug delivery system has promising potential for clinical application in SCI therapy.

Nanostructured Calcium-based Biomaterials and their Application in Drug Delivery

In the past several decades, various types of nanostructured biomaterials have been developed. These nanostructured biomaterials have promising applications in biomedical fields such as bone repair, tissue engineering, drug delivery, gene delivery, antibacterial agents, and bioimaging. Nanostructured biomaterials with high biocompatibility, including calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and calcium silicate, are ideal candidates for drug delivery. This review article is not intended to offer a comprehensive review of the nanostructured biomaterials and their application in drug delivery but rather presents a brief summary of the recent progress in this field. Our recent endeavors in the research of nanostructured biomaterials for drug delivery are also summarized. Special attention is paid to the synthesis and properties of nanostructured biomaterials and their application in drug delivery with the use of typical examples. Finally, we discuss the problems and future perspectives of nanostructured biomaterials in the drug delivery field.

Ultrasmall hybrid protein–copper sulfide nanoparticles for targeted photoacoustic imaging of orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma with a high signal-to-noise ratio

A schematic illustration of CuS@BSA-RGD nanoparticle synthesis and the application of photoacoustic imaging in an orthotopic HCC model.

Preparation of a one-dimensional nanorod/metal organic framework Janus nanoplatform via side-specific growth for synergistic cancer therapy

A unique LA-AuNR/ZIF-8 Janus nanoparticle is firstly prepared by side-specific growth of ZIF-8 on one-dimensional AuNR for drug loading to realize the CT image-guided active targeted synergistic chemo-photothermal cancer therapy.

Selective Growth Synthesis of Ternary Janus Nanoparticles for Imaging-Guided Synergistic Chemo- and Photothermal Therapy in the Second NIR Window

Multifunctional therapeutic agents in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window have attracted wide attention on account of their synergetic properties for effective cancer therapy. Here, we construct a selective growth strategy for the first time to fabricate ternary Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) containing hemispherical MnO₂ at one side and Au core covered with CuS shell at opposite side. The obtained ternary JNPs are further modified with poly(ethylene glycol)thiol to enhance the stability and biocompatibility (designated as PEG-CuS-Au-MnO₂ ternary JNPs). The MnO₂ domain with mesoporous structures can serve as hydrophobic drug carriers and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agents. Meanwhile, the Au segment is used for X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. Moreover, the PEG-CuS-Au-MnO₂ ternary JNPs can conduct hyperthermia at 1064 nm in NIR-II window to ablate tumors in deep tissue, which is ascribed to the localized surface plasmon resonance coupling effect of the Au core and CuS domain. All of the results reveal that PEG-CuS-Au-MnO₂ ternary JNPs not only exhibit pre-eminent CT/MR imaging capabilities, but also provide high chemo-photothermal antitumor efficacy under the guidance of CT/MR imaging. Taking together, the PEG-CuS-Au-MnO₂ ternary JNPs can be regarded as a prospective therapeutic nanoplatform for dual-modal imaging-guided synergistic chemo-photothermal cancer therapy in the NIR-II window.

Highly Sensitive MoS2-Indocyanine Green Hybrid for Photoacoustic Imaging of Orthotopic Brain Glioma at Deep Site

Photoacoustic technology in combination with molecular imaging is a highly effective method for accurately diagnosing brain glioma. For glioma detection at a deeper site, contrast agents with higher photoacoustic imaging sensitivity are needed. Herein, we report a MoS₂-ICG hybrid with indocyanine green (ICG) conjugated to the surface of MoS₂ nanosheets. The hybrid significantly enhanced photoacoustic imaging sensitivity compared to MoS₂ nanosheets. This conjugation results in remarkably high optical absorbance across a broad near-infrared spectrum, redshifting of the ICG absorption peak and photothermal/photoacoustic conversion efficiency enhancement of ICG. A tumor mass of 3.5 mm beneath the mouse scalp was clearly visualized by using MoS₂-ICG as a contrast agent for the in vivo photoacoustic imaging of orthotopic glioma, which is nearly twofold deeper than the tumors imaged in our previous report using MoS₂ nanosheet. Thus, combined with its good stability and high biocompatibility, the MoS₂-ICG hybrid developed in this study has a great potential for high-efficiency tumor molecular imaging in translational medicine.

A designed synthesis of multifunctional carbon nanoframes for simultaneous imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal cancer therapy

A simple synthetic route was developed to fabricate mesoporous carbon nanoframes for simultaneous photoacoustic imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal cancer therapy.

Rational Design of Branched Au-Fe3 O4 Janus Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Trimodal Imaging and Photothermal Therapy of Cancer Cells

We report a facile and simple hydrogen reduction method to fabricate PEGylated branched gold (Au)-iron oxide (Fe₃ O₄ ) Janus nanoparticles (JNPs). Note that the hydrogen induces the formation of Fe₃ O₄ during the synthesis process. Due to the strong absorption in the near-infrared range, branched Au-Fe₃ O₄ JNPs showed a significant photothermal effect with a 40 % calculated photothermal transduction efficiency under a laser irradiation of 808 nm in vitro. Owing to their excellent optical and magnetic properties, branched Au-Fe₃ O₄ JNPs were demonstrated to be advantageous agents for triple-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/photoacoustic imaging (PAI)/computed tomography (CT) in vitro. Therefore, the synthetic approach could be extended to prepare Au-metallic oxide JNPs for specific applications.