A multi-stimuli responsive gold nanocage-hyaluronic platform for targeted photothermal and chemotherapy

Noninvasive and pinpointed intracellular drug release that responds to multiple stimulus is still a formidable challenge for cancer therapy. Herein, we reported a multi-stimuli responsive platform based on drug loaded gold nanocages @ hyaluronic acid (AuNCs-HA) for pinpointed intracellular drug release. These well-prepared nanohybrids could specifically recognize cancer cells via HA-CD44 interactions and be efficiently endocytosed by receptor-mediated process. Subsequently, the coated HA molecules could be degraded in lysosomes, resulting in the release of encapsulated drug. In addition, by taking advantage of the excellent photothermal properties, the AuNCs could accelerate the release of encapsulated drug and induce a higher therapeutic efficacy upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. In vitro results confirmed that the encapsulated drug could only be pinpointedly released in intracellular environments, which permitted high therapeutic efficacy against cancer cells and minimized the side effects. Importantly, as compared to that of the two therapies independently, a complete inhibition of tumor growth treated with the combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy was observed in vivo. Taken together, our present study provides new insights into developing pinpointed, multi-stimuli responsive intracellular drug release systems for synergistic cancer therapy.