DNA‐Templated Ag@Pd Nanoclusters for NIR‐II Photoacoustic Imaging‐Guided Photothermal‐Augmented Nanocatalytic Therapy

Abstract

AbstractDeveloping multifunctional nanozymes with photothermal‐augmented enzyme‐like reaction dynamics in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) biowindow is of significance for nanocatalytic therapy (NCT). Herein, DNA‐templated Ag@Pd alloy nanoclusters (DNA‐Ag@Pd NCs) are prepared as a kind of novel noble‐metal alloy nanozymes by using cytosine‐rich hairpin‐shaped DNA structures as growth templates. DNA‐Ag@Pd NCs exhibit high photothermal conversion efficiency (59.32%) under 1270 nm laser and photothermally augmented peroxidase‐mimicking activity with synergetic enhancement between Ag and Pd. In addition, hairpin‐shaped DNA structures on the surface of DNA‐Ag@Pd NCs endow them with good stability and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, and enhanced permeability and retention effect at tumor sites. Upon intravenous injection, DNA‐Ag@Pd NCs demonstrate high‐contrast NIR‐II photoacoustic imaging‐guided efficient photothermal‐augmented NCT of gastric cancer. This work provides a strategy to synthesize versatile noble‐metal alloy nanozymes in a bioinspired way for highly efficient therapy of tumors.