Embedding fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles into biocompatible nanogels for tumor cell imaging and thermo/pH-sensitive in vitro drug release

- Inorganic/organic core/shell hybrid nanospheres were prepared by one-pot graft copolymerization.
- The nanospheres exhibited fluorescent/thermo/pH-sensitivity.
- The nanospheres were developed toward fluorescence imaging of cancer cells.
- Drug loading, release and cytotoxicity of the nanosphere carriers were studied in detail.