Theranostic nanomotors for tumor multimode imaging and photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy

Efficient nanotheranostic reagents for cancer has attracted extensive attention. Herein we report nanomotors UCNPs@mSiO₂-Au-Cys for tumor multimode imaging and photothermal (PTT)/photodynamic (PDT) combined therapy. Firstly, the photothermal agent Au NPs and photosensitizer Cy-S-Ph-NH₂ (Cys) are loaded by upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with the mesoporous silica shell. Nanomotors generate autonomous motion under 808 nm laser irradiation, which can significantly increase their tumor tissue permeability. Meanwhile, Au NPs provide photothermal conversion, photothermal imaging, and act as nanocatalytic enzyme that can enhance the efficacy of oxygen dependent PDT. Cys also can increase the photothermal effect. In addition, the two emission of UCNPs at 659 and 800 nm under 980 nm excitation are offered respectively the possibility to realize real-time online monitoring of therapeutic effect and the tumor fluorescence imaging. This nano-therapeutics platform based on the optical properties of UCNPs and nano-motor technology will provide potential methods for tumor treatment.