Advanced self-decomposing drug delivery system for integrated photothermal, photodynamic, and chemotherapy

Abstract

In recent years, the development of advanced drug delivery systems has emerged as a promising approach to enhance cancer treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. This study addresses key challenges in drug delivery, including achieving active targeting, controlled drug release, and dual-mode imaging. We present a novel multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based system co-loaded with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and doped with lanthanum metals (Eu, Gd), offering a synergistic combination of chemotherapy, photodynamic, and photothermal therapies. By incorporating calcium (Ca) into the MSN structure, we engineered a pH-sensitive degradation mechanism that leverages the acidic tumor microenvironment for enhanced biodegradability, promoting safe elimination from the body. Hyaluronic acid (HA) modification further enhances tumor targeting through receptor-mediated pathways. The resulting MSN-EuGdCa@DOX-PDA-HA platform offers dual imaging capabilities and precise, pH-responsive drug release, presenting an innovative solution to overcome the limitations of current cancer therapies.