Photothermally Controllable Cytosolic Drug Delivery Based On Core–Shell MoS2-Porous Silica Nanoplates

Single-layered molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) displays strong photothermal properties, but low colloidal stability in aqueous solution prevents its biomedical application as a functional drug delivery carrier. We report a photothermally controllable nanoplate consisting of porous silica-coated, single-layered MoS2, modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Silica and PEG enhanced stability and maintained the single layer structure of MoS2 for over a month. A representative anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), was loaded into the silica structure and subsequent exposure to near-infrared irradiation facilitated both endosomal escape of the carrier and the release of DOX. DOX-loaded, silica-coated, single-layered MoS2 (DOX–PSMS–PEG) showed better therapeutic effect against liver and colon cancer compared than free DOX did; a result probably attributable to the combined effects of photothermally facilitated endosomal escape and the vulnerability of cancer cells to localized heating. These studies suggest that cons...