Nanoparticulate photosensitizer decorated with hyaluronic acid for photodynamic/photothermal cancer targeting therapy

AIM: A photomedicine consisting of a core for photothermal therapy, a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy, and a cancer-targeting moiety was fabricated to improve photosensitizer selectivity and antitumor efficiency. MATERIALS & METHODS: Hyaluronic acid-decorated polydopamine nanoparticles with conjugated chlorin e6 (HA-PDA-Ce6) were synthesized and characterized. Cell uptake, phototoxicity, penetration, distribution and therapeutic effects were evaluated. RESULTS: HA-PDA-Ce6 had high photoactivities for photodynamic therapy/photothermal therapy and was readily internalized via CD44-mediated endocytosis. Enhanced accumulation and deeper penetration into tumors were achieved by the diffusion molecular retention tumor targeting effect following peritumoral injection. In the combination therapy, HA-PDA-Ce6 displayed the highest tumor growth inhibition in HCT-116 tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION: HA-PDA-Ce6 is promising for targeted colorectal cancer therapy.