Polypeptide-coated 5-FU/ICG co-delivery vehicle MSNs for cancer treatment with chemo/photothermal/photodynamic simultaneous therapy

Abstract

Abstract Advances in material science, nanotechnology and biomedicine have rewritten many cancer treatment paradigms. The combined strategies based on nanomaterials for cancer treatment not only improve the efficacy of cancer treatment, but also avoid the limitations of traditional single cancer treatment. In this study, a novel nanoparticle 5-FU/ICG@MP has been synthesized, which is loaded with photosensitizer ICG and chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU using a mesoporous silica nanocarrier modified with amphiphilic polypeptide P14. The performance and surface morphology of the nanoparticles have been determined. The results indicated that the nanoparticles exhibit good dimensional stability, photothermal properties and efficient ROS generation. The in vitro anticancer activity of the nanoparticles was investigated based on cytotoxicity, apoptosis, live and dead staining, cell cycle and cell ultrathin section analysis. The results suggested that nanoparticles could effectively inhibit the cell activity of MCF-7 through chemotherapy combined with PDT and PTT. Finally, HE and TUNEL staining was used to analyze mouse organs and tumors. The nanoparticles induced apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo via multiple interaction between 5-FU and near infrared light triggered PTT and PDT. Therefore, the nanoparticles are effective drug delivery platform, which could simultaneously exerted chemo/photothermal/photodynamic treatment in furture.