A pH-sensitive coordination polymer network-based nanoplatform for magnetic resonance imaging-guided cancer chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy

Abstract Developing various kinds of nanoplatforms with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions would be significant for imaging-guided precision treatment of cancer. However, it is still a challenge to organically integrate therapeutic and imaging components into a single nano-system rather than simply mixing. Herein, an iron-gallic acid network-based nanoparticle (Fe-GA@PEG-PLGA) was designed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy of tumors. The tumor spatial location and size information can be accurately achieved due to T1 MRI based on Fe3+ coordination with GA in Fe-GA network. Furthermore, the nanoparticle exhibited extraordinary photostability and photothermal therapy capacity exceeded 42 °C within 100 s under 808 nm laser irradiation. Meanwhile, the Fe-GA polymeric network can be disassembled in tumor acidic environment and the released drug GA can induce apoptosis. This study demonstrated that the Fe-GA network-based nanoparticle is a promising diagnostic and therapeutic agent for theranostic application and further clinic translation.