Theranostics dye integrated zwitterionic polymer for in vitro and in vivo photothermal cancer therapy

•Diagnostic bioimaging fluorescence and photothermal therapeutic (PTT) fluorescence.•Tumor-environment responsive zwitterionic nanoparticles.•NIR-irradiated nanoparticles using theranostics dye integrated polymer.•Monitors treatment condition, and successfully ablates tumors.

We report that combining diagnostic bioimaging fluorescence and photothermal therapeutic (PTT) within a single nano-platform can be used to simultaneously and accurately diagnose and ablate tumors. The integrated pH with thermo-responsive poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-co-N-isopropylacylamide) sulfobetaine (PDNS) backbone carrier retained optical bioimaging from boron dipyrromethane (BODIPY) and sufficient photothermal generation is ensured by integrating IR825 within this same theranostic system. BODIPY (fluorescence dye) with IR825 (NIR dye) quaternized zwitterionic PDNS (IR825/BOD-PDNS) showed pH and temperature-dependent fluorescence emissions and NIR irradiated in vitro photothermal toxicity to cancer cells. This fluorescence platform maximizes the antitumor response, monitors treatment condition, and successfully ablates tumors with thermal energy.

Graphical abstractThe preparation and application of combining diagnostic bioimaging fluorescence and photothermal therapeutic (PTT) fluorescence within a single nano-platform can be used to simultaneously and accurately diagnose and ablate tumors.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide