posted on 2015-05-13, 00:00authored byHao Wan, Yi Zhang, Weibing Zhang, Hanfa Zou
In consideration of the intrinsic
complexity of cancer, just being a delivery nanovehicle for the nanocarrier
is no longer enough to fulfill requirements of dealing with cancer.
In this regard, the multifunctional nanocarrier appears to be an appealing
choice in cancer treatment. Herein, the novel multifunctional nanocarrier
(Fe3O4-NS-C3N4@mSiO2-PEG-RGD) possessing properties of dual targeting (the peptide-
and magnetism-mediated targeting), imaging (one- and two-photon modes),
pH-triggered release of loaded anticancer drug, and synergistic treatment
(photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with chemotherapy) are successfully
developed. The nanocarrier specifically centralizes within cancer
cells with the enhanced amount through the dual targeting ability
and is facilely tracked under one- and two-photon imaging modes attributed
to the autofluorescence. Then, visible light irradiation-induced PDT
combined with low pH-triggered chemotherapy synergistically cooperate
to efficiently kill cancer cells. Following the above process, the
multifunctional nanocarrier demonstrates effective inhibition of the
growth of A549 and HeLa cancer cells. The efficient manipulation of
Fe3O4-NS-C3N4@mSiO2-PEG-RGD also implies potential applications of the multifunctional
nanocarrier in delivery of different agents. Furthermore, it might
also broaden the scope of fabrication of the multifunctional nanocarrier
for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.