NIR-II
(1000–1700 nm) fluorescence imaging is continually
attracting strong research interest. However, current NIR-II imaging
materials are limited to small molecules with fast blood clearance
and inorganic nanomaterials and organic conjugated polymers of poor
biodegradability and low biocompatibility. Here, we report a highly
biodegradable polyester carrying tandem NIR-II fluorophores as a promising
alternative. The polymer encapsulated a platinum intercalator (56MESS,
(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) (1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane) platinum(II)) and was conjugated with both a
cell-targeting RGD peptide and a caspase-3 cleavable peptide probe
to form nanoparticles for simultaneous NIR-II and apoptosis imaging. In vitro, the nanoparticles were approximately 4–1000-
and 1.5–10-fold more potent than cisplatin and 56MESS, respectively.
Moreover, in vivo, they significantly inhibited tumor
growth on a multidrug-resistant patient-derived mouse model (PDXMDR). Finally, through label-free laser desorption-ionization
mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), in situ 56MESS
release in the deeper tumors was observed. This work highlighted the
use of biodegradable NIR-II polymers for monitoring drugs in vivo and therapeutic effect feedback in real-time.
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