A biodegradable fluorescent nanohybrid for photo-driven tumor diagnosis and tumor growth inhibition

Preparation of environmentally responsive PDA&DOX@LAC live drug carrier for synergistic tumor therapy

The development of intelligent, environmentally responsive and biocompatible photothermal system holds significant importance for the photothermal combined therapy of tumors. In this study, inspired by Lactobacillus (LAC), we prepared a biomimetic nanoplatform PDA&DOX@LAC for tumor photothermal-chemotherapy by integrating the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) with dopamine through oxidative polymerization to form polydopamine (PDA) on the surface of LAC. The PDA&DOX@LAC nanoplatform not only achieves precise and controlled release of DOX based on the slightly acidic microenvironment of tumor tissues, but also exhibits enzyme-like properties to alleviate tumor hypoxia. Under near-infrared light irradiation, it effectively induces photothermal ablation of tumor cells, enhances cellular uptake of DOX with increasing temperature, and thus efficiently inhibits tumor cell growth. Moreover, it is further confirmed in vivo experiments that photothermal therapy combined with PDA&DOX@LAC induces tumor cells apoptosis, releases tumor-associated antigens, which is engulfed by dendritic cells to activate cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby effectively suppressing tumor growth and prolonging the survival period of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, the PDA&DOX@LAC nanoplatform holds immense potential in precise tumor targeting as well as photothermal combined therapy and provides valuable insights and theoretical foundations for the development of novel tumor treatment strategies based on endogenous substances within the body.

Kinetic modelling of ultrasound-triggered chemotherapeutic drug release from the surface of gold nanoparticles

Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to trigger the on-demand release of chemotherapeutic drugs from gold nanoparticles (GNPs). In the previous work, our group achieved doxorubicin (DOX) release from the surface of GNPS under low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) exposure. However, the specific release kinetics of ultrasound-triggered DOX release from GNPs is not known. Here, we present a release kinetics study of DOX from GNPs under ultrasound exposure for the first time. A novel dialysis membrane setup was designed to quantify DOX release from LIPUS-activated GNPs at 37.0 °C and 43.4 °C (hyperthermia temperature range). Contributions of thermal and non-thermal mechanisms of LIPUS-triggered DOX release were also quantified. Non-thermal mechanisms accounted for 40 ± 7% and 34 ± 5% of DOX release for 37.0 °C and 43.4 °C trials, respectively. DOX release under LIPUS exposure was found to follow Korsmeyer-Peppas (K-P) kinetics, suggesting a shift from a Fickian (static) to a non-Fickian (dynamic) release profile with the addition of non-thermal interactions. DOX release was attributed to an anomalous diffusion release mechanism from the GNP surface. A finite element model was also developed to quantify the acoustic radiation force, believed to be the driving force of non-thermal DOX release inside the dialysis bag.

Influence of PEGylation on WS2 Nanosheets and Its Application in Photothermal Therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an alternative cancer therapy with minimal side effects and higher efficiency and selectivity. In this study, WS2 nanosheets were developed by ultrasonic exfoliation with different ratios of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and their effects on physicochemical properties were studied. The utilization of PEG during sonication significantly influenced the size and thickness of the resulting WS2 nanosheet layers, which was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses. PEG functionalization also improved the dispersibility of WS2 in aqueous solution by making its surface hydrophilic, which resulted in better biocompatibility. The intrinsic near-infrared absorbance of the nanosheets positions them as valuable agents for PTT. The study further explores the efficacy of these nanosheets as photothermal agents in the ablation of MDAMB-231 breast cancer cells. Although the use of PEG to demonstrate exfoliation and biocompatibility for WS2 has been reported previously, the effect of PEGylation on various physicochemical properties has not been studied in-depth until now. This study paves the way for the use of highly versatile PEG across a range of 2D material systems.

Bioinspired and biomimetic cancer-cell-derived membrane nanovesicles for preclinical tumor-targeted nanotheranostics

Bioinspired cell-membrane-camouflaged nanohybrids have been proposed to enhance tumor targeting by harnessing their immune escape and self-recognition abilities. In this study, we introduce cancer-cell-derived membrane nanovesicles (CCMVs) integrated with gold nanorods (AuVNRs) in addition to therapeutic and imaging cargos such as doxorubicin and indocyanine green. This approach enhances targeted tumor imaging and enables synergistic chemo-phototherapeutics for solid tumors. CCMVs demonstrate significant tumor penetration and retention, serving as nanotheranostics with accessible surface biomarkers, biomimicking properties, and homologous targeting abilities. By evading uptake by the mononuclear phagocytic system, CCMVs can diffuse into the deep tumor core, leading to precise tumor reduction while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues. Notably, intravenous administration of these theranostic agents ensures biocompatibility, as evidenced by a survival period of approximately two months (up to 63 days) without any observed side effects. Our findings underscore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of this biomimetic nanotheranostics platform.

Engineered Liposomes in Interventional Theranostics of Solid Tumors

Engineered liposomal nanoparticles have unique characteristics as cargo carriers in cancer care and therapeutics. Liposomal theranostics have shown significant progress in preclinical and clinical cancer models in the past few years. Liposomal hybrid systems have not only been approved by the FDA but have also reached the market level. Nanosized liposomes are clinically proven systems for delivering multiple therapeutic as well as imaging agents to the target sites in (i) cancer theranostics of solid tumors, (ii) image-guided therapeutics, and (iii) combination therapeutic applications. The choice of diagnostics and therapeutics can intervene in the theranostics property of the engineered system. However, integrating imaging and therapeutics probes within lipid self-assembly "liposome" may compromise their overall theranostics performance. On the other hand, liposomal systems suffer from their fragile nature, site-selective tumor targeting, specific biodistribution and premature leakage of loaded cargo molecules before reaching the target site. Various engineering approaches, viz., grafting, conjugation, encapsulations, etc., have been investigated to overcome the aforementioned issues. It has been studied that surface-engineered liposomes demonstrate better tumor selectivity and improved therapeutic activity and retention in cells/or solid tumors. It should be noted that several other parameters like reproducibility, stability, smooth circulation, toxicity of vital organs, patient compliance, etc. must be addressed before using liposomal theranostics agents in solid tumors or clinical models. Herein, we have reviewed the importance and challenges of liposomal medicines in targeted cancer theranostics with their preclinical and clinical progress and a translational overview.

Stealth Liposomal Chemotherapeutic Agent for Triple Negative Breast Cancer with Improved Pharmacokinetics

Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most lethal cancers. Chemotherapeutics for targeting CDK4 and CDK6 like Palbociclib (PAB) in triple-negative breast cancer was widely explored. However, poor bioavailability and severe side effects profile limiting its clinical usage in the field of cancer chemotherapy. Herein, we set out to develop the stealth liposomes (LPS) of PAB by rotary thin film evaporation with a vesicle size of less than 100 nm. In vitro, drug release studies were performed and fitted into different release kinetic models. LPS were characterized by electron microscopic techniques for morphology. The engineered nanotherapeutics agents were further evaluated in 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cell lines for its anti-cancer potential and cellular uptake. The hemolytic potential and pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of developed LPS-PAB and PAB were analyzed by using robust UHPLC-QTOF-MS method. LPS-PAB demonstrates biphasic release profile with first-order release kinetics. Further, LPS-PAB has shown less IC₅₀ value (1.99 µM) compared to PAB alone (3.24 µM). The designed nanoliposomes were tagged with fluorescent FITC dye to check rapid cellular uptake. Importantly, stealth LPS-PAB has shown a 1.75-fold reduction in hemolytic potential as compared to PAB plain drug at 100 µg/mL concentration. The PK results obtained was displayed 2.5-fold increase in C_max, 1.45-fold increase in AUC_tot, 1.8-fold increase in half-life and 1.3-fold increase in MRT with LPS-PAB when compared to orally administered PAB suspension. These findings suggest that novel LPS-PAB can be employed as an alternate therapeutic strategy to eradicate triple-negative breast cancer.

Antitumor Applications of Photothermal Agents and Photothermal Synergistic Therapies

As a new tumor treatment strategy, photothermal therapy (PTT) has the advantages of accuracy, ease of administration, a high efficiency and low side effects. Photothermal transduction agents (PTAs) are the key factor which play an important role in PTT. The mechanism of PTT is discussed in detail. The photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) can be improved by increasing the light absorption and reducing the light scattering of photothermal conversion agents. Additionally, non-radiative relaxation path attenuation can also promote energy conversion to obtain a higher value in terms of PCE. The structure and photothermal characteristics of various kinds of PTAs (metal materials, carbon-based nanomaterials, two-dimensional nanomaterials, and organic materials) were compared and analyzed. This paper reviews the antitumor applications of photothermal synergistic therapies, including PTT combined with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. This review proposes that these PTAs promote the development of photothermal synergistic therapies and have a great potential in the application of tumor treatment.

Bioinspired soft nanovesicles for site-selective cancer imaging and targeted therapies

Cell-to-cell communication within the heterogeneous solid tumor environment plays a significant role in the uncontrolled metastasis of cancer. To inhibit the metastasis and growth of cancer cells, various chemically designed and biologically derived nanosized biomaterials have been applied for targeted cancer therapeutics applications. Over the years, bioinspired soft nanovesicles have gained tremendous attention for targeted cancer therapeutics due to their easy binding with tumor microenvironment, natural targeting ability, bio-responsive nature, better biocompatibility, high cargo capacity for multiple therapeutics agents, and long circulation time. These cell-derived nanovesicles guard their loaded cargo molecules from immune clearance and make them site-selective to cancer cells due to their natural binding and delivery abilities. Furthermore, bioinspired soft nanovesicles prevent cell-to-cell communication and secretion of cancer cell markers by delivering the therapeutics agents predominantly. Cell-derived vesicles, namely, exosomes, extracellular vesicles, and so forth have been recognized as versatile carriers for therapeutic biomolecules. However, low product yield, poor reproducibility, and uncontrolled particle size distribution have remained as major challenges of these soft nanovesicles. Furthermore, the surface biomarkers and molecular contents of these vesicles change with respect to the stage of disease and types. Here in this review, we have discussed numerous examples of bioinspired soft vesicles for targeted imaging and cancer therapeutic applications with their advantages and limitations. Importance of bioengineered soft nanovesicles for localized therapies with their clinical relevance has also been addressed in this article. Overall, cell-derived nanovesicles could be considered as clinically relevant platforms for cancer therapeutics. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

The combination of MnO2@Lipo-coated gefitinib and bevacizumab inhibits the development of non-small cell lung cancer

It can be found from a large number of cancer treatments that use of anti-cancer drugs alone often presents low efficacy and high side effects. This study aims to develop a new drug carrier with tumor-specific response, controlled release in vivo and high tumor-suppressive property. Inorganic nano-materials MnO₂ with pH and glutathione (GSH, abundant in cancer cells) responsiveness were used to construct sustained-release functional nano-liposome to be an excellent in vivo pH-sensitive drug delivery system. Some hydrophilic MnO₂, gefitinib (Geb), and bevacizumab (Beb) were encapsulated in the phospholipid vesicles (liposomes), so as to integrate several anti-tumor drugs (MnO₂-PDA@Lipo@Geb@Beb) to achieve effective treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Part of the MnO₂ nanorods on the lipid shell had the properties of pH and GSH responsiveness, which could further enhance anti-cancer efficacy. Cell assay results showed that MnO₂-PDA@Lipo@Geb@Beb nano-drug had an effective inhibition on A549 cell progression and showed excellent biocompatibility. In vivo results further confirmed that MnO₂-PDA@Lipo@Geb@Beb nano-drug could effectively inhibit the growth of NSCLC cells. Overall, it can be inferred from the above experimental results that the nanocomposite drug is expected to be widely used in the clinical application of lung cancer.

Design and Application of Near-Infrared Nanomaterial-Liposome Hybrid Nanocarriers for Cancer Photothermal Therapy

Liposomes are attractive carriers for targeted and controlled drug delivery receiving increasing attention in cancer photothermal therapy. However, the field of creating near-infrared nanomaterial-liposome hybrid nanocarriers (NIRN-Lips) is relatively little understood. The hybrid nanocarriers combine the dual superiority of nanomaterials and liposomes, with more stable particles, enhanced photoluminescence, higher tumor permeability, better tumor-targeted drug delivery, stimulus-responsive drug release, and thus exhibiting better anti-tumor efficacy. Herein, this review covers the liposomes supported various types of near-infrared nanomaterials, including gold-based nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, and semiconductor quantum dots. Specifically, the NIRN-Lips are described in terms of their feature, synthesis, and drug-release mechanism. The design considerations of NIRN-Lips are highlighted. Further, we briefly introduced the photothermal conversion mechanism of NIRNs and the cell death mechanism induced by photothermal therapy. Subsequently, we provided a brief conclusion of NIRNs-Lips applied in cancer photothermal therapy. Finally, we discussed a synopsis of associated challenges and future perspectives for the applications of NIRN-Lips in cancer photothermal therapy.

Insights into the transport of pristine and photoaged graphene oxide-hematite nanohybrids in saturated porous media: Impacts of XDLVO interactions and surface roughness

The transport behaviors of nanomaterials, in especial multifunctional nanohybrids have not been well disclosed until now. In this study, environmentally relevant conditions, including cation types, ionic strength and pH, were selected to investigate the transport and retention of graphene oxide-hematite (GO-Fe₂O₃) nanohybrids and a photoaged product in saturated sandy columns. Results show that more hybridization of hematite led to decreased negative surface charge, while increased particle size and hydrophobicity of the nanohybrids, which depressed their transport according to extented Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory. However, the inhibitory transport of photoaged nanohybrids was attributed to their distinct surface roughness caused by relatively high hybridization and photoirradiation. Notably the restrained transport was alleviated in the CaCl₂ saturated media, since the less surface O-functional groups of the corresponding nanohybrids reduced the cation bridging effect caused by Ca²⁺. Similarly, increasing pH promoted the transport of the nanohybrids in NaCl saturated media, particularly for the nanohybrids that contained rich O-functional groups, but exerted inconspicuous effect on mobility of the nanohybrids in CaCl₂ saturated media. These observations highlight that both XDLVO interactions and surface roughness may work together to impact the transport and fate of the burgeoning, versatile nanohybrids in the environment.

The Potential Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Liver Fibrosis Theranostics

Liver fibrosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide due to chronic liver damage and leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. To date, there is no effective and specific therapy for patients with hepatic fibrosis. As a result of their various advantages such as biocompatibility, imaging contrast ability, improved tissue penetration, and superparamagnetic properties, magnetic nanoparticles have a great potential for diagnosis and therapy in various liver diseases including fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms and important factors for hepatic fibrosis and on potential magnetic nanoparticles-based therapeutics. New strategies for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis are also discussed, with a summary of the challenges and perspectives in the translational application of magnetic nanoparticles from bench to bedside.

Clearable Nanoparticles for Cancer Photothermal Therapy

Nanoparticles are important mediators for cancer photothermal therapy (PTT) where they can efficiently convert photon energy into heat and ablate the surrounding cancer cells with superior spatial and temporal precision. Recent decades have witnessed a booming development of numerous formulations of PTT nanoparticles that exhibit outstanding anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical studies. However, their clinical translation has been mined by safety concerns, especially their long-term impact on human body. Biodegradable nanoparticles that can be excreted after PTT, therefore, are gaining popularity due to their biocompatibility and improved safety profiles. This chapter provides an update on the progress in clearable PTT nanoparticles for cancer treatment. We discuss their design, synthesis strategy, and physicochemical properties relevant to photothermal performance. We also review their biodistribution patterns and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy, along with their degradation mechanism and clearance kinetics. Lastly, we present a brief overview of the imaging techniques to noninvasively monitor the degradation of PTT nanoparticles.

Ultrahigh Penetration and Retention of Graphene Quantum Dot Mesoporous Silica Nanohybrids for Image Guided Tumor Regression

So far, near-infrared (NIR) light responsive nanostructures have been well-defined in cancer nanomedicine. However, poor penetration and retention in tumors are the limiting factors. Here, we report the ultrahigh penetration and retention of carbanosilica (graphene quantum dots, GQDs embedded mesoporous silica) in solid tumors. After NIR light exposure, quick (0.5 h) emission from the tumor area is observed that is further retained up to a week (tested up to 10 days) with a single dose administration of nanohybrids. Emissive and photothermally active GQDs and porous silica shell (about 31% drug loading) make carbanosilica a promising nanotheranostic agent exhibiting 68.75% tumor shrinking compared to without NIR light exposure (34.48%). Generated heat (∼52 °C) alters the permeability of tumor enhancing the accumulation of nanotheranostics into the tumor environment. Successive tumor imaging ensures the prolonged follow-up of image guided tumor regression due to synergistic therapeutic effect of nanohybrids.

Hydrothermal-Assisted Synthesis and Stability of Multifunctional MXene Nanobipyramids: Structural, Chemical, and Optical Evolution

Recent advancements in two-dimensional materials have brought MXene (Ti₃C₂) into attention due to its exciting properties as a very promising material for various applications. In this work, we report a novel Ti₃C₂ nanobipyramid (Ti₃C₂ NB) structure obtained through a three-step process involving exfoliation, delamination, and subsequent hydrothermal treatment. The morphological and textural properties at each step of synthesis were studied using an array of experimental techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy and the chemical properties through X-ray diffraction, Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The Ti₃C₂ NBs exhibit fluorescence with an excitation-dependent emission. Further, the effect of temperature and pH on the fluorescence was also investigated, which opens up its scope in bioanalytical applications. Ti₃C₂ NBs showed a ∼43% increase in photoluminescence intensity from pH 3 to 11 while a ∼38% increase with the temperature from 20 to 80 °C. Usually, MXenes are highly susceptible to oxidation, but the Ti₃C₂ NBs were found to be chemically and optically stable even after 30 days. Bestowed with good hydrophilicity, the material exhibited high biocompatibility on the mouse fibroblast cell line L929. Further, L929 cells also showed good cellular adhesion on a Ti₃C₂ NB-modified glass substrate. These properties pave a way for its multifunctional ability as a sensor for pH and temperature as well as bioimaging.

Liposomal nanotheranostics for multimode targeted in vivo bioimaging and near-infrared light mediated cancer therapy

Developing a nanotheranostic agent with better image resolution and high accumulation into solid tumor microenvironment is a challenging task. Herein, we established a light mediated phototriggered strategy for enhanced tumor accumulation of nanohybrids. A multifunctional liposome based nanotheranostics loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and emissive graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were engineered named as NFGL. Further, doxorubicin hydrochloride was encapsulated in NFGL to exhibit phototriggered chemotherapy and functionalized with folic acid targeting ligands. Encapsulated agents showed imaging bimodality for in vivo tumor diagnosis due to their high contrast and emissive nature. Targeted NFGL nanohybrids demonstrated near infrared light (NIR, 750 nm) mediated tumor reduction because of generated heat and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Moreover, NFGL nanohybrids exhibited remarkable ROS scavenging ability as compared to GQDs loaded liposomes validated by antitumor study. Hence, this approach and engineered system could open new direction for targeted imaging and cancer therapy.

Novel Carbon Dots Derived from Puerariae lobatae Radix and Their Anti-Gout Effects

Gout is a disease with a high incidence and causing great harm, and the current treatment drugs are not satisfactory. In this study, novel water-soluble carbon dots (CDs) with anti-gout effect, named Puerariae lobatae Radix CDs (PLR-CDs), are reported. PLR-CDs were synthesized with an improved pyrolysis method at 300 °C, and their characterization was performed with multifaceted approaches, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In addition, the biocompatibility of PLR-CDs was studied using the cell counting kit (CCK)-8 in LO2 cells and RAW264.7 cells, and the anti-gout activity of PLR-CDs was examined on animal models of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. The characterization of PLR-CDs indicated that they were nearly spherical, with diameters ranging from 3.0 to 10.0 nm, and the lattice spacing was 0.283 nm. The toxicity experiment revealed that PLR-CDs were non-poisonous for LO2 cells and RAW264.7 cells at concentrations below 250 μg/mL. The results of pharmacodynamic experiments showed that PLR-CDs could lower the blood uric acid level in model rats by inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase and reduce the degree of swelling and pathological damage of gouty arthritis. Thus, PLR-CDs with anti-gout biological activity and good biocompatibility have the prospect of clinical application for the treatment of gout.

Far-Red to Near-Infrared Carbon Dots: Preparation and Applications in Biotechnology

As novel fluorescent nanomaterials, carbon dots (CDs) exhibit excellent photostability, good biocompatibility, and high quantum yield (QY). Their superior properties make them promising candidates for biomedical assays and therapy. Among them, the red-emission (>600 nm) CDs have attracted increasing attention in the past years due to their little damage to the biological matrix, deep tissue penetration, and minimum autofluorescence background of biosamples. This Review, summarizes the recent progress of far-red to near-infrared (NIR) CDs from the preparation and their biological applications. The challenges in designing far-red and NIR CDs and their further applications in biomedical fields are also discussed.

Functional design of pH-responsive folate-targeted polymer-coated gold nanoparticles for drug delivery and in vivo therapy in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Curcumin has been widely used owing to its various medicinal properties including antitumor effects. However, its clinical application is limited by its instability, poor solubility and low bioavailability. Folic acid (FA)-functionalized nanoformulations may enhance the sustained release of an anticancer drug (curcumin) by tumor-specific targeting to improve therapeutic benefit. This study aims to design a nanoconjugate (NC) comprised of folate-curcumin-loaded gold-polyvinylpyrrolidone nanoparticles (FA-CurAu-PVP NPs) for targeted delivery in breast cancer model systems.

METHODS

We developed curcumin-loaded FA-functionalized Au-PVP NCs by layer-by-layer assembly. The folic acid-curcumin Au-PVP NCs (FA-CurAu-PVP NCs) were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. In vitro anticancer and antimigratory effects of NCs were examined by performing MTT and wound migration assays. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of NCs was investigated using a preclinical breast cancer orthotopic mouse model.

RESULTS

Curcumin (40 µg/mL) was loaded along with conjugation of folate onto Au-PVP NPs to form FA-CurAu-PVP NCs. The size and charge of the NCs were increased gradually through layer-by-layer assembly and showed 80% release of curcumin at acidic pH. The NC did not show aggregation when incubated with human serum and mimicked an intrinsic peroxidase-like property in the presence of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine substrate. The MTT data using these NCs showed efficient anticancer activity at lower doses in estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR)-negative cells compared with ER/PR-positive cells. Furthermore, the NCs did not show cytotoxicity at the investigated concentration in human breast epithelial and mouse fibroblast cell lines. They showed inhibitory effects on cell migration and high antitumor efficacy in in vivo analysis.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that folate-based tumor targeting using CurAu-PVP NCs is a promising approach for tumor-specific therapy of breast cancer without harming normal cells.

Biodegradable Polymer-Coated Multifunctional Graphene Quantum Dots for Light-Triggered Synergetic Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer

In this work, we reported the synthesis of an engineered novel nanocarrier composed of biodegradable charged polyester vectors (BCPVs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for pancreatic cancer (MiaPaCa-2 cells) therapy applications. Such a nanocarrier was utilized to co-load doxorubicin (DOX) and small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), resulting in the formation of GQD/DOX/BCPV/siRNA nanocomplexes. The resulting nanocomplexes have demonstrated high stability in physiologically mimicking media, excellent K-ras downregulation activity, and effective bioactivity inhibition for MiaPaCa-2 cells. More importantly, laser light was used to generate heat for the nanocomplexes via the photothermal effect to damage the cells, which was further employed to trigger the release of payloads from the nanocomplexes. Such triggered release function greatly enhanced the anticancer activity of the nanocomplexes. Preliminary colony formation study also suggested that GQD/DOX/BCPV/siRNA nanocomplexes are qualified carrier candidates in subsequent in vivo tests.