Perylenediimide chromophore as an efficient photothermal agent for cancer therapy

Gold Nanoparticles-Modified 2D Self-Assembled Amphiphilic Peptide Nanosheets with High Biocompatibility and Photothermal Therapy Efficiency

Amphiphilic peptides have garnered significant attention due to their highly designable and self-assembling behaviors. Self-assembled peptides hold excellent potential in various fields such as biosensing, environmental monitoring, and drug delivery, owing to their remarkable biological, physical, and chemical properties. While nanomaterials formed by peptide self-assembly have found widespread use in biomedical applications, the development of 2D peptide nanosheets based on the self-assembly of amphiphilic peptides remains challenging in terms of rational design and morphology modulation. In this study, rationally designed amphiphilic peptide molecules are self-assembled into peptide nanosheets (PNS) under specific conditions to encapsulate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), resulting in the formation of AuNPs/PNS hybrid materials with high photothermal conversion efficiency. The findings demonstrate that 2D PNS enhances the overall photothermal therapy effect of the nanohybrid materials due to their larger hosting area for AuNPs and higher biocompatibility. The well-designed amphiphilic peptides in this study offer insights into the structural design and functional modulation of self-assembled molecules. In addition, the constructed biomimetic-functional 2D inorganic/organic nanohybrid materials hold potential applications in biomedical engineering.

Ti2C3 MXene-based nanocomposite as an intelligent nanoplatform for efficient mild hyperthermia treatment

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted much attention due to its less invasive, controllable and highly effective nature. However, PTT also suffers from intrinsic cancer resistance mediated by cell survival pathways. These survival pathways are regulated by a variety of proteins, among which heat shock protein (HSP) triggers thermotolerance and protects tumor cells from hyperthermia-induced apoptosis. Confronted by this challenge, we propose and validate here a novel MXene-based HSP-inhibited mild photothermal platform, which significantly enhances the sensitivity of tumor cells to heat-induced stress and thus improves the PPT efficacy. The Ti3C2@Qu nanocomposites are constructed by utilizing the high photothermal conversion ability of Ti3C2 nanosheets in combination with quercetin (Qu) as an inhibitor of HSP70. Qu molecules are loaded onto the nanoplatform in a pH-sensitive controlled release manner. The acidic environment of the tumor causes the burst-release of Qu molecules, which deplete the level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in tumor cells and leave the tumor cells out from the protection of the heat-resistant survival pathway in advance, thus sensitizing the hyperthermia efficacy. The nanostructure, photothermal properties, pH-responsive controlled release, synergistic photothermal ablation of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, and hyperthermia effect on subcellular structures of the Ti3C2@Qu nanocomposites were systematically investigated.

Genetic Engineering Bacillus thuringiensis Enable Melanin Biosynthesis for Anti-Tumor and Anti-Inflammation

Collaboration between cancer treatment and inflammation management has emerged as an integral facet of comprehensive cancer care. Nevertheless, the development of interventions concurrently targeting both inflammation and cancer has encountered significant challenges stemming from various external factors. Herein, a bioactive agent synthesized by genetically engineering melanin-producing Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) bacteria, simultaneously achieves eco-friendly photothermal agent and efficient reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) scavenger benefits, perfectly tackling present toughies from inflammation to cancer therapies. The biologically derived melanin exhibits exceptional photothermal-conversion performance, facilitating potent photonic hyperthermia that effectively eradicates tumor cells and tissues, thereby impeding tumor growth. Additionally, the RONS-scavenging properties of melanin produced by B. thuringiensis bacteria contribute to inflammation reduction, augmenting the efficacy of photothermal tumor repression. This study presents a representative paradigm of genetic engineering in B. thuringiensis bacteria to produce functional agents tailored for diverse biomedical applications, encompassing inflammation and cancer therapy.

Pd8 Nanocluster with Nonmetal-to-Metal- Ring Coordination and Promising Photothermal Conversion Efficiency

Constructing ambient-stable, single-atom-layered metal-based materials with atomic precision and understanding their underlying stability mechanisms are challenging. Here, stable single-atom-layered nanoclusters of Pd were synthesized and precisely characterized through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. A pseudo-pentalene-like Pd8 unit was found in the nanocluster, interacting with two syn PPh units through nonmetal-to-metal -ring coordination. The unexpected coordination, which is distinctly different from the typical organoring-to-metal coordination in half-sandwich-type organometallic compounds, contributes to the ambient stability of the as-obtained single-atom-layered nanocluster as revealed through theoretical and experimental analyses. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations revealed dominant electron transition along the horizontal x-direction of the Pd8 plane, indicating high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of the nanocluster, which was verified by the experimental PCE of 73.3 %. Therefore, this study unveils the birth of a novel type of compound and the finding of the unusual nonmetal-to-metal -ring coordination and has important implications for future syntheses, structures, properties, and structure-property correlations of single-atom-layered metal-based materials.

Recent advances in fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy for cancer: From near-infrared-I to near-infrared-II

Phototherapy (including photothermal therapy, PTT; and photodynamic therapy, PDT) has been widely used for cancer treatment, but conventional PTT/PDT show limited therapeutic effects due to the lack of disease recognition ability. The integration of fluorescence imaging with PTT/PDT can reveal tumor locations in a real-time manner, holding great potential in early diagnosis and precision treatment of cancers. However, the traditional fluorescence imaging in the visible and near-infrared-I regions (VIS/NIR-I, 400-900 nm) might be interfered by the scattering and autofluorescence from tissues, leading to a low imaging resolution and high false positive rate. The deeper near-infrared-II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) fluorescence imaging can address these interferences. Combining NIR-II fluorescence imaging with PTT/PDT can significantly improve the accuracy of tumor theranostics and minimize damages to normal tissues. This review summarized recent advances in tumor PTT/PDT and NIR-II fluorophores, especially discussed achievements, challenges and prospects around NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided PTT/PDT for cancers.

Photothermal therapy using graphene quantum dots

The rapid development of powerful anti-oncology medicines have been possible because of advances in nanomedicine. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a type of treatment wherein nanomaterials absorb the laser energy and convert it into localized heat, thereby causing apoptosis and tumor eradication. PTT is more precise, less hazardous, and easy-to-control in comparison to other interventions such as chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and radiation therapy. Over the past decade, various nanomaterials for PTT applications have been reviewed; however, a comprehensive study of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) has been scantly reported. GQDs have received huge attention in healthcare technologies owing to their various excellent properties, such as high water solubility, chemical stability, good biocompatibility, and low toxicity. Motivated by the fascinating scientific discoveries and promising contributions of GQDs to the field of biomedicine, we present a comprehensive overview of recent progress in GQDs for PTT. This review summarizes the properties and synthesis strategies of GQDs including top-down and bottom-up approaches followed by their applications in PTT (alone and in combination with other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy). Furthermore, we also focus on the systematic study of in vitro and in vivo toxicities of GQDs triggered by PTT. Moreover, an overview of PTT along with the synergetic application used with GQDs for tumor eradication are discussed in detail. Finally, directions, possibilities, and limitations are described to encourage more research, which will lead to new treatments and better health care and bring people closer to the peak of human well-being.

New Highly Fluorescent Water Soluble Imidazolium-Perylenediimides: Synthesis and Cellular Response

The synthesis and characterization of two new water soluble 2,6-bis(imidazolylmethyl)-4-methylphenoxy-containing perylenediimides, PDI-1 and PDI-2, are described. These compounds demonstrate a high fluorescence quantum yield in water and were investigated as potential photosensitizers for generating reactive oxygen species with applications in anticancer activities. The HeLa cell line (VPH18) was used to evaluate their efficacy. Fluorescence microscopy was employed to confirm the successful internalization of PDI-1 and PDI-2, while confocal microscopy revealed the specific locations of both PDIs within the lysosomes and mitochondria. In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the anticancer activity of PDI-1 and PDI-2. Remarkably, these photosensitizers demonstrated a significant ability to selectively eliminate cancer cells when exposed to a specific light wavelength. The water solubility, high fluorescence quantum yield, and selective cytotoxicity of these PDIs toward cancer cells highlight their potential as effective agents for targeted photodynamic therapy. In conclusion, the findings presented here provide a strong foundation for the future exploration and optimization of PDI-1 and PDI-2 as effective photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies for cancer patients.

Chemical doping of unsubstituted perylene diimide to create radical anions with enhanced stability and tunable photothermal conversion efficiency

N-doping of perylene diimides (PDIs) to create stable radical anions is significant for harvesting photothermal energy due to their intensive absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region and non-fluorescence. In this work, a facile and straightforward method has been developed to control the doping of perylene diimide to create radical anions using organic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a dopant. It was demonstrated that PEI is an effective polymer-reducing agent for the n-doping of PDI toward the controllable generation of radical anions. In addition to the doping process, PEI could suppress the self-assembly aggregation and improve the stability of PDI radical anions. Tunable NIR photothermal conversion efficiency (maximum 47.9%) was also obtained from the radical-anion-rich PDI-PEI composites. This research provides a new strategy to tune the doping level of unsubstituted semiconductor molecules for varying yields of radical anions, suppressing aggregation, improving stability, and obtaining the highest radical anion-based performance.

Recent Advances in Applications of Fluorescent Perylenediimide and Perylenemonoimide Dyes in Bioimaging, Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy

The emblematic perylenediimide (PDI) motif which was initially used as a simple dye has undergone incredible development in recent decades. The increasing power of synthetic organic chemistry has allowed it to decorate PDIs to achieve highly functional dyes. As these PDI derivatives combine thermal, chemical and photostability, with an additional high absorption coefficient and near-unity fluorescence quantum yield, they have been widely studied for applications in materials science, particularly in photovoltaics. Although PDIs have always been in the spotlight, their asymmetric counterparts, perylenemonoimide (PMI) analogues, are now experiencing a resurgence of interest with new efforts to create architectures with equally exciting properties. Namely, their exceptional fluorescence properties have recently been used to develop novel systems for applications in bioimaging, biosensing and photodynamic therapy. This review covers the state of the art in the synthesis, photophysical characterizations and recently reported applications demonstrating the versatility of these two sister PDI and PMI compounds. The objective is to show that after well-known applications in materials science, the emerging trends in the use of PDI- and PMI-based derivatives concern very specific biomedicinal applications including drug delivery, diagnostics and theranostics.

Highly efficient solar-absorber composite material based on tetrapyridylporphyrin for water evaporation and thermoelectric power generation

Photothermal materials based on organic small molecules have the characteristics of structural diversity and easy modification for solar-driven water evaporation and power generation technology. However, there still exist limitations, such as the utilization of solar energy and photostability. Therefore, it is the focus of current research to design organic photothermal materials with excellent photothermal stability, strong solar absorption capacity, and high photothermal conversion efficiency. Herein, photothermal conversion materials based on tetrapyridylporphyrin (TPyP) is studied, which possesses polypyrrole macrocyclic framework (18π electrons), which makes it exhibit strong absorption in the 300-800 nm region with high photothermal conversion. The interfacial-heating evaporation system based on polyurethane (PU) foam loaded with TPyP was prepared, whose solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency and vapor evaporation rate of PU + TPyP foam solar energy reached 56% and 0.81 kg m-2 h-1, respectively. In addition, TPyP-loaded solar evaporator equipped with abundant microchannels for water flow are integrated with thermoelectric devices, thus achieving an evaporation rate and voltage as high as 0.69 kg m-2 h-1 and 60 mV under 1 kW m-2 solar irradiation, respectively. The successful application of TPyP in water evaporation and power generation effectively addresses the difficulties faced in the process of using organic small molecule photothermal materials to solve the energy crisis.

Organic Nanoparticles Based on D-A-D Small Molecule: Self-Assembly, Photophysical Properties, and Synergistic Photodynamic/Photothermal Effects

Cancer is one of the major diseases threatening human health. Traditional cancer treatments have notable side-effects as they can damage the immune system. Recently, phototherapy, as a potential strategy for clinical cancer therapy, has received wide attention due to its minimal invasiveness and high efficiency. Herein, a small organic molecule (PTA) with a D-A-D structure was prepared via a Sonogashira coupling reaction between the electron-withdrawing dibromo-perylenediimide and electron-donating 4-ethynyl-N,N-diphenylaniline. The amphiphilic organic molecule was then transformed into nanoparticles (PTA-NPs) through the self-assembling method. Upon laser irradiation at 635 nm, PTA-NPs displayed a high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE = 43%) together with efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The fluorescence images also indicated the production of ROS in cancer cells with PTA-NPs. In addition, the biocompatibility and photocytotoxicity of PTA-NPs were evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and live/dead cell co-staining test. Therefore, the as-prepared organic nanomaterials were demonstrated as promising nanomaterials for cancer phototherapy in the clinic.

Regioisomer-manipulating thio-perylenediimide nanoagents for photothermal/photodynamic theranostics

Thionated perylenediimides (PDIs) can potentially generate thermal and reactive oxygen species and thus can be used as theranostic agents for photothermal/photodynamic therapy. Herein, thionated cis-/trans-isomer PDI-CS and PDI-TS were designed and prepared to investigate thionation engineering on therapeutic performance. The results revealed that the photodynamic performance is less associated with the positon of sulfur atoms. By contrast, trans-isomer PDI-TS showed a photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 58.4%, which was 40% higher than that of PDI-CS (∼41.6%). An in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentration of ∼7.78 μg mL-1 was achieved for PDI-TS, which was 1.7-fold smaller than that of PDI-CS, strongly reasserting the regioisomer-modulated phototheranostic performance. Notably, the strong π-π and CS interactions in PDI-TS nanoagents are essential factors attributed to their excellent photothermal performance, indicating that the optimization of non-bonding interactions is an ingenious way to improve phototheranostic performance. This work provides a facile means of creating thio-perylenediimides that possess excellent antitumor properties and a novel proof of concept to improve therapeutic performance through the optimization of non-bonding interactions.

An NIR-activated polymeric nanoplatform with ROS- and temperature-sensitivity for combined photothermal therapy and chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer

A functional nanoplatform with ROS- and temperature-sensitivity was reported to achieve combined cancer treatment under NIR stimulation.

From Dyestuff Chemistry to Cancer Theranostics: The Rise of Rylenecarboximides

Fighting cancer with the means of chemistry remains a tremendous challenge and defines a pressing societal need. Compounds based on synthetic organic dyes have long been recognized as vital tools for cancer diagnosis and therapy (theranostics). Fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging of cancer as well as cancer treatment protocols such as photodynamic and photothermal therapy are all photobased technologies that require chromophores. However, a serious drawback of most chromophoric molecules is photobleaching over the course of their use in biological environments, which severely compromises the desired theranostic effects. At this point, rylenecarboximide (RI) dyes with ultrahigh photostability hold enormous promise. RI stands for a homologous series of dyes consisting of an aromatic core and carboximide auxochromic groups. They possess high molar extinction coefficients and finely tunable photophysical properties. RIs such as perylenebiscarboxylic acid monoimide (PMI), perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide (PDI), terrylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide (TDI), and quaterrylene tetracarboxylic acid diimide (QDI) have attracted great scientific attention as colorants, components of organic photovoltaics and organic field-effect transistors, as well as tools for biological applications. PDI has appeared as one of the most widely studied RI dyes for fluorescence bioimaging. Our recent breakthroughs including chemotherapy with PDI-based DNA intercalators and photothermal therapy guided by photoacoustic imaging using PDI, TDI, or QDI, define urgent needs for further scientific research and clinical translation. In this Account, we tackle the relationship between chemical structures and photophysical and pharmacologic properties of RIs aiming at new contrast and anticancer agents, which then lay the ground for further biomedical applications. First, we introduce the design concepts for RIs with a focus on their structure-property relationships. Chemical structure has an enormous impact on the fluorescent, chemotoxic, photodynamic, and photothermal performance of RIs. Next, based on the resulting performance criteria, we employ RIs for fluorescence and photoacoustic cancer imaging as well as cancer therapies. When carrying electron donating substituents, PDIs and PMIs possess high fluorescence quantum yield and red-shifted emission which qualifies them for use in cancer fluorescence imaging. Also, some fluorescent PDIs are combined with chemodrugs or developed into DNA intercalators for chemotherapy. PDI-based photosensitizers are prepared by "heavy atom" substitution, showing potential for photodynamic therapy. Further, photothermal agents using PDI, TDI, and QDI with near-infrared absorption and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency offer high promise in photothermal cancer therapy monitored by photoacoustic imaging. Finally, looking jointly at the outstanding properties of RIs and the demands of current biomedicine, we offer an outlook toward further modifications of RIs as a powerful and practical platform for advanced cancer theranostics as well as treatment of other diseases.

Environmentally responsive dual-targeting nanotheranostics for overcoming cancer multidrug resistance

The development of multiple drug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy and subsequent treatment failures are major obstacles in cancer therapy. An attractive option for combating MDR is inhibiting the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in tumor cells. Here, we report a novel chemosensitizing agent, XMD8-92, which can down-regulate P-gp. To enhance the specificity of MDR chemotherapy, a promising nanotheranostic micelle system based on poly(ethylene glycol)-blocked-poly(L-leucine) (PEG-b-Leu) was developed to simultaneously carry the anticancer drug doxorubicin, chemosensitizing agent XMD8-92, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs). Featured with MDR environmentally responsive dual-targeting capability, controllable drug delivery, and efficient magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics, the prepared nanotheranostics (DXS@NPs) showed outstanding in vitro cytotoxicity on MDR cells (SCG 7901/VCR) with only 53% of cells surviving compared to 90% of DOX-treated cells. Furthermore, efficient tumor inhibition and highly reduced systemic toxicity were exhibited by MDR tumor-bearing mice treated with DXS@NPs. Overall, the environmentally responsive dual-targeting nanotheranostics represent a promising approach for overcoming cancer MDR.

Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens with the Capability of Wide Color Tuning, Mitochondrial and Bacterial Imaging, and Photodynamic Anticancer and Antibacterial Therapy

Recently, luminogens with the aggregation-induced emission characteristic (AIEgens) have received much attention in the field of bioimaging and therapeutic applications. However, the development of AIEgens that are derived from the simple core skeleton with emission color tuning for imaging and therapy is still a formidable challenge. To address this constraint, we present a series of cationic AIEgens based on cyanopyridinium salts (CP1-CP5). The AIEgens can be facilely prepared by varying the aromatic electron donor while fixing the cyanopyridinium group as the electron acceptor within a single benzene ring. The obtained AIEgens possess wide color tunability, large Stokes shifts, and bright emission in the condensed state. Due to their good biocompatibility and cationic nature, these AIEgens can be utilized for multiple-color imaging of intracellular mitochondria as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Importantly, these AIEgens exhibit remarkable structure-dependent singlet-oxygen generation ability under white light illumination (25 mW cm^-2), and CP4 was optimized to serve as an excellent photosensitizer for photodynamic anticancer and antibacterial therapy.

Stable radical anions generated from a porous perylenediimide metal-organic framework for boosting near-infrared photothermal conversion

Radical anions of electron-deficient systems are widely used, but are easily reoxidized upon exposure to air. Therefore, the stabilization of radical anions under ambient conditions is of great significance, but still remains a scientific challenge. Herein, perylenediimide is employed to prepare a crystalline metal-organic framework for stabilizing radical anions without extensive chemical modification. The porous, three-dimensional framework of perylenediimide can trap electron donors such as amine vapors and produce radical anions in-situ through photo-induced electron transfer. The radical anions are protected against quenching by shielding effect in air and remain unobstructed in air for at least a month. Because of the high yield and stability of the radical anions, which are the basis for near-infrared photothermal conversion, the framework shows high near-infrared photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 52.3%). The work provides an efficient and simple method towards ambient stable radical anions and affords a promising material for photothermal therapy.

Small addition of Zn2+ in Ca2+@DNA results in elevated gene transfection by aminated PGMA-modified silicon nanowire arrays

Gene therapy, a promising and effective treatment, has ignited new hope in overcoming difficult-to-cure diseases. The key question in gene therapy is how to efficiently and safely deliver exogenous nucleic acids into the nuclei of target cells. To achieve stable, efficient and safe gene transfer and to ensure efficiency of gene transfer into cell nuclei, a zinc ion-assisted gene delivery nanosystem was proposed in the present study by loading a low concentration of Zn²⁺ in Ca²⁺@DNA nanoparticles on ethanolamine-functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGEA)-modified SiNWAs (Zn²⁺/Ca²⁺@DNA + SN-PGEA). The results showed that with the help of Zn ions, this composite nanosystem could promote more DNA in the cell nuclei and thus dramatically increased the transfection efficiency by as much as 7-fold. The nanosystem with 0.2 mM Zn²⁺, 100 mM Ca²⁺ and PGEA modification on SiNWAs displayed the highest transfection efficiency and good biocompatibility. This new composite nanosystem will have great potential in gene transfection for biomedical research.

Design and synthesis of a fluorescent amino poly(glycidyl methacrylate) for efficient gene delivery

A fluorescent amino poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGOHMA) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and post-polymerization. PGOHMA has low cytotoxicity and high DNA delivery efficiency.

Small Molecule Optoacoustic Contrast Agents: An Unexplored Avenue for Enhancing In Vivo Imaging

Almost every variety of medical imaging technique relies heavily on exogenous contrast agents to generate high-resolution images of biological structures. Organic small molecule contrast agents, in particular, are well suited for biomedical imaging applications due to their favorable biocompatibility and amenability to structural modification. PET/SPECT, MRI, and fluorescence imaging all have a large host of small molecule contrast agents developed for them, and there exists an academic understanding of how these compounds can be developed. Optoacoustic imaging is a relatively newer imaging technique and, as such, lacks well-established small molecule contrast agents; many of the contrast agents used are the same ones which have found use in fluorescence imaging applications. Many commonly-used fluorescent dyes have found successful application in optoacoustic imaging, but others generate no detectable signal. Moreover, the structural features that either enable a molecule to generate a detectable optoacoustic signal or prevent it from doing so are poorly understood, so design of new contrast agents lacks direction. This review aims to compile the small molecule optoacoustic contrast agents that have been successfully employed in the literature to bridge the information gap between molecular design and optoacoustic signal generation. The information contained within will help to provide direction for the future synthesis of optoacoustic contrast agents.

The Fabrication of rGO/(PLL/PASP)3 @DOX Nanorods with pH-Switch for Photothermal Therapy and Chemotherapy

The development of well-controlled drug carriers that are stable and highly effective for the delivery of anticancer agents is challenging. Herein, we report a novel pH-controlled drug delivery system, utilizing reducing graphene oxide (rGO)-polymer self-assembly films as carriers, for the preparation of effective drug nanorods and nanoparticles. In this system, the rGO-polymer carriers were constructed by the alternating assembly of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and polyaspartic acid (PASP) around the rGO sheets. Furthermore, the rGO-polymer cores, which possess a positively charged surface as the desired template, could assemble with negatively charged doxorubicin (DOX) via electrostatic interactions. The DOX embedding efficiency and the morphology of the drug nanocomposites could be controlled by the number of rGO-polymer bilayers and concentration of the rGO-polymer bilayers and the initial DOX concentration. Importantly, the release of DOX could be regulated by controlling the pH and by using a NIR laser. Under acidic conditions, the interactions between the PASP layer and DOX molecules can be broken, resulting in gradual release of the DOX molecules. Upon NIR irradiation, the release of DOX could be further accelerated and a photothermal effect from rGO induced. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity experiments indicate that the drug nanocomposites possess effective anticancer activity. Thus, in this work, we present a useful strategy for the fabrication of pH-responsive drug nanocomposites for combined photothermal and chemical therapy. The nanocomposite can be used as a potential drug delivery system for practical cancer treatment.