Dual-functional nano-carrier system based on NIR-laser-triggered dynamic AuSe interaction for chemo-photothermal synergistic tumor therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) combined with chemotherapy has been highly desirable to improve the tumor treatment efficacy. Here, we report a novel controlled release nano-carrier system named Se-PEG-Au NPs-DOX (SePAD) for achieving chemo-photothermal synergistic tumor therapy. In this system, the diselenide-containing co-polymers (mPEG-Se–Se-PEGm) were anchored onto the surface of Au NPs via AuSe interactions and the soluble chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (Dox) was loaded into the monolayers. This structure is proved to be stable in a high biological thiols environment. Strikingly, the SePAD presents an ideal efficient photothermal capability and a controllable Dox release behavior by dynamic AuSe interaction in GSH-rich tumor cells when irradiated under 808 nm NIR laser. Following, the results of in vitro and in vivo experiments all demonstrat the superior antitumor properties of SePAD in murine breast cancer. Thus, this system provides a promising strategy to realize chemo-photothermal synergistic combination therapy for breast tumors.