On the double: A highly packed interlayer‐crosslinked micelle (HP‐ICM) with pH and reduction sensitivity was developed for targeted drug release (see picture; DTT=dithiothreitol, red circles=doxorubicin). The HP‐ICM suppresses drug leakage in blood circulation while rapidly releasing drug inside lysosomes of cancer cells. Biological studies revealed the potential of the dual‐sensitive HP‐ICM in cancer treatment.

Dual aktivierbar: In einer dichtgepackten Micelle mit vernetzten Schichten (HP‐ICM; highly packed interlayer‐crosslinked micelle), die auf Änderung des pH‐Werts und chemische Reduktion reagiert (siehe Bild; DTT=Dithiothreitol, rote Kreise=Doxorubicin), bleibt der Wirkstoff beim Transport durch den Blutkreislauf sicher gespeichert und wird in den Lysosomen von Krebszellen rasch freigesetzt. Biologische Studien belegen das Potenzial dieser HP‐ICM in der Krebstherapie.

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Red blood cell (RBC) membrane-cloaked nanoparticles, reserving the intact cell membrane structure and membrane protein, can gain excellent cell-specific functions such as long blood circulation and immune escape, providing a promising therapy nanoplatform for drug delivery. Herein, a novel RBC membrane biomimetic combination therapeutic system with tumor targeting ability is constructed by embedding bovine serum albumin (BSA) encapsulated with 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-platinum (II) (DACHPt) and indocyanine green (ICG) in the targeting peptide-modified erythrocyte membrane (R-RBC@BPtI) for enhancing tumor internalization and synergetic chemophototherapy. R-RBC@BPtI displays excellent stability and high encapsulation efficiency with multiple cores enveloped in the membrane. Benefited from the stealth functionality and targeting modification of erythrocyte membranes, R-RBC@BPtI can significantly promote tumor targeting and cellular uptake. Under the near-infrared laser stimuli, R-RBC@BPtI presents remarkable instability by singlet oxygen and heat-mediated cleavage so as to trigger effective drug release, thereby achieving deep penetration and accumulation of DACHPt and ROS in the tumor site. Consequently, R-RBC@BPtI with tumor-specific targeting ability accomplishes remarkable ablation of tumors and suppressed lung metastasis in vivo by photothermal and chemotherapy combined ablation under phototriggering. This research provides a novel strategy of targeted biomimetic nanoplatforms for combined cancer chemotherapy-phototherapy.

Fungal infections in skin are extremely stubborn and seriously threaten human health. In the process of antifungal treatment, it is a huge challenge that the stratum corneum of the skin and fungal biofilms form the drug transport barrier. Herein, a near-infrared (NIR) laser-propelled parachute-like nanomotor loaded with miconazole nitrate (PNM-MN) is fabricated to enhance transdermal drug delivery for synergistic antifungal therapy. Due to asymmetrically spatial distribution, PNM can generate a thermal gradient under NIR laser irradiation, thereby forming effective self-thermophoretic propulsion. The self-propulsion and photothermal effect of PNM play a major role in promoting fungal uptake and biofilm adhesion. Moreover, under laser irradiation, PNM-MN can obliterate plankton Candida albicans and mature biofilms by combining pharmacological therapy and photothermal therapy. More importantly, the drug effectively penetrated the skin to reach the infected site using the nanomotor with NIR laser irradiation. Moreover, PNM-MN with a NIR laser can eradicate fungal infections caused by C. albicans and facilitate the abscess ablation, showing a therapeutic effect in vivo better than that of PNM with a NIR laser or free MN groups, with negligible histological toxicity. Taken together, NIR laser-propelled PNM-MN, as an antifungal nanoagent, provides a promising strategy for transdermal delivery and antifungal therapy.