NIR Laser Responsive Nanoparticles for Ovarian Cancer Targeted Combination Therapy with Dual-modal Imaging Guidance

Purpose Multifunctional nanoparticles with targeted therapeutic function and diagnostic-imaging are of great interest in the domain of precision therapy. NIR laser responsive nanoparticles (PLGA-PEG-FA encapsulating Bi2S3, PFP, and Dox (designed as FBPD NPs)) are synthesized for ovarian cancer targeted combination therapy with CT/PA dual-modal imaging guidance (PA: photoacoustic; CT: X-ray computed tomography). Methods and results The FBPD NPS prepared by the double emulsification method revealed excellent dispersity, great stability, outstanding optical properties. The temperature of FBPD NPs increased rapidly after laser irradiation, inducing liquid-to-gas conversion of perfluoropentane (PFP), and promoting the release of Dox up to 86.7%. These FBPD NPs demonstrated their outstanding imaging capability for both PA and CT imaging both in vitro and in vivo, providing the potential for therapeutic guidance and monitoring. Assisted by folic acid, these nanoparticles could highly enrich in ovarian tumor tissue and the accumulation peaked at 3 h after intravenous administration. The desirable photothermal-conversion efficiency of the nanoparticles combined with chemotherapy achieved highly efficient therapy, which was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion We successfully constructed multifunctional theranostic FBPD NPs for highly efficient PTT/chemotherapy combined therapy with dual CT/PA imaging guidance/monitoring. The unique nanoparticles with multiple abilities pave an emerging way toward precise treatment of ovarian cancer.