Biomimetic membrane-conjugated graphene nanoarchitecture for light-manipulating combined cancer treatment in vitro

• Graphene nanoarchitecture is facilely constructed as targeting drug nanocarrier.
• Such nanoarchitecture delivers 7-fold DOX to tumor cells than pure drug.
• Combined therapy is achieved with higher efficacy than individual therapy.

We report that through facile lipid self-assembly, biomimetic membrane-conjugated mesoporous silica-coated graphene oxide is constructed as targeting nanocarrier toward efficient combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. Impressively, the simple surface modification with folate-contained lipid bilayer allows the graphene-based nanoarchitecture above to be selectively internalized by tumor cells overexpressing relevant receptors. Compared to pure drug, 7-fold doxorubicin is delivered into tumor cells by the nanoarchitecture. After cellular internalization, upon near infrared light illumination, graphene oxide in the nanoarchitecture can convert light energy into heat to kill cancer cells partially. Simultaneously, hyperthermia will drive rapid release of doxorubicin from the nanoarchitecture above to further cause the death of more cancer cells. Thus, integrated cancer treatment with higher efficacy is achieved in vitro compared to that of individual therapy.

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