In this work, an innovative boron-based multifunctional nanoplatform was developed for synergistic chemotherapy/photothermal therapy.

A nanoplatform that integrates diagnostic and therapeutic functions with intrinsic tumor microenvironment‐responsive biodegradability is highly desired. Herein, a biodegradable nanotheranostic agent based on hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs), followed by encapsulating of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90) inhibitor is described. Then, the pore‐engineering including gating with bovine serum albumin‐iridium oxide nanoparticles (BSA‐IrO2) and conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is conducted to yield 17AAG@HMONs‐BSA‐IrO2‐PEG (AHBIP) nanotheranostics for multimode computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging‐guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) and low‐temperature photothermal therapy (PTT). Such nanoplatforms show extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency, high cargo loading (35.4% for 17AAG), and stimuli‐responsive release of 17AAG for inhibition of Hsp90, which induces cell apoptosis at low‐temperatures (≈41 °C). Also, the IrO2 simultaneously endows the nanotheranostics with catalytic activity in triggering the decomposition of H2O2 into O2 and thus reducing the tumor hypoxia, as well as protecting normal tissues against H2O2‐induced inflammation. AHBIP shows good photocatalysis activity for PDT as a result of the generation of superoxide anion by laser irradiation. The resulting AHBIP‐mediated synergistic PTT/PDT offers an outstanding therapeutic outcome both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, the incorporation of the BSA‐IrO2 and biodegradable HMONs into one nanoplatform has great potential for clinical applications.

No abstract

Deleterious effects to normal tissues and short biological half‐life of sonosensitizers limit the applications of sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Herein, a new sonosensitizer (Cu(II)NS) is synthesized that consists of porphyrins, chelated Cu2+, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to overcome the challenges of SDT. As Cu2+ contains 27 electrons, Cu(II)NS has an unpaired electron (open shell), resulting in a doublet ground state and little sonosensitivity. Overexpressed glutathione in the tumor can reduce Cu2+ to generate Cu(I)NS, leading to a singlet ground state and recuperative sonosensitivity. Additionally, PEG endows Cu(II)NS with increased blood biological half‐life and enhanced tumor accumulation, further increasing the effect of SDT. Through regulating the valence state of Cu, cancer SDT with enhanced therapeutic index is achieved.