Biocompatible Heat-Shock Protein Inhibitor-Delivered Flowerlike Short-Wave Infrared Nanoprobe for Mild Temperature-Driven Highly Efficient Tumor Ablation

Multifunctional nanomaterials for dual-mode imaging guided cancer therapy are highly desirable in clinical applications. Herein, the flower-like NiS2 coated-NaLuF4:Nd nanoparticle (Lu:Nd@NiS2) was synthesized as a novel therapeutic agent for short-wave infrared light imaging and magnetic resonance imaging to guide photothermal therapy. The material was then loaded with phenolic epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), which is a natural heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor. Upon NIR irradiation, EGCG was released from the Lu:Nd@NiS2-EGCG, which bound heat HSP90 and reduced cell tolerance to heat, resulting in a better therapeutic effect at the same elevated temperature. Therefore, with minimal side effects and remarkable antitumor efficacy in vivo, Lu:Nd@NiS2-EGCG appeared to be a promising photothermal agent for enhanced photothermal therapy.