Abstract
We report a theranostic nanoparticle that can express ultrasound (US) imaging and simultaneous therapeutic functions for cancer treatment. We developed doxorubicin-loaded calcium carbonate (CaCO3) hybrid nanoparticles (DOX-CaCO3-MNPs) through a block copolymer templated in situ mineralization approach. The nanoparticles exhibited strong echogenic signals at tumoral acid pH by producing carbon dioxide (CO2) bubbles and showed excellent echo persistence. In vivo results demonstrated that the DOX-CaCO3-MNPs generated CO2 bubbles at tumor tissues sufficient for echogenic reflectivity under a US field. In contrast, the DOX-CaCO3-MNPs located in the liver or tumor-free subcutaneous area did not generate the CO2 bubbles necessary for US contrast. The DOX-CaCO3-MNPs could also trigger the DOX release simultaneously with CO2 bubble generation at the acidic tumoral environment. The DOX-CaCO3-MNPs displayed effective antitumor therapeutic activity in tumor-bearing mice. The concept described in this work may serve as a useful guide for development of various theranostic nanoparticles for US imaging and therapy of various cancers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 134-145 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | ACS nano |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 Jan 27 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 American Chemical Society.
Keywords
- carbon dioxide
- drug delivery
- mineralization
- nanobubble
- theranostics
- ultrasound
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- General Engineering
- General Physics and Astronomy