Programmed photosensitizer conjugated supramolecular nanocarriers with dual targeting ability for enhanced photodynamic therapy.

A programmed supramolecular nanocarrier was developed for multistage targeted photodynamic therapy. This smart nanocarrier exhibited enhanced cellular uptake and controlled mitochondria targeting, as well as an excellent photodynamic therapeutic effect after light irradiation.

Glutathione Activatable Photosensitizer-Conjugated Pseudopolyrotaxane Nanocarriers for Photodynamic Theranostics.

Photodynamic theranostics has recently been extensively explored as a promising approach for precise localization and therapy. Herein, glutathione (GSH) activatable photosensitizer (PS)-conjugated pseudopolyrotaxane nanocarriers (α-CD-ss-Ce6 NPs) are reported for enhanced photodynamic theranostics by taking advantage of the noncovalent interactions between α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and poly(ethylene glycol). The designed α-CD-ss-Ce6 NPs are nonactivated and stable during circulation but exhibited strong photodynamic theranostics through GSH activating after arriving at tumor site.

Zwitterionic Phosphorylcholine-TPE Conjugate for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery and AIE Active Imaging.

Polymeric micelles have emerged as a promising nanoplatform for cancer theranostics. Herein, we developed doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulated pH-responsive polymeric micelles for combined aggregation induced emission (AIE) imaging and chemotherapy. The novel zwitterionic copolymer poly(2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine-co-2-(4-formylphenoxy)ethyl methacrylate) (poly(MPC-co-FPEMA)) was synthesized via RAFT polymerization and further converted to PMPC-hyd-TPE after conjugation of tetraphenylethene (TPE, a typical AIE chromophore) via acid-cleavable hydrazone bonds.

Intracellular Dual Fluorescent Lightup Bioprobes for Image-Guided Photodynamic Cancer Therapy.

An intracellular dual fluorescent light-up bioprobe with aggregation-induced emission features and endogenously producing photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) abilities is designed and synthesized. The bioprobe is nonemissive in physiological environment. However, the bioprobe can selectively light up cancer cells with blue fluorescence of tetraphenylene (TPE) and red fluorescence of PpIX, owing to the release of TPE and methyl aminolevulinate after targeted internalization by cancer cells.

Dual pH-responsive 5-aminolevulinic acid pseudopolyrotaxane prodrug micelles for enhanced photodynamic therapy.

Novel 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) pseudopolyrotaxane prodrug micelles with dual pH-responsive properties were prepared by the host-guest interaction of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The micelles exhibited pH dependent cellular uptake and pH-sensitive ALA release, enabling enhanced photodynamic therapy.