Targeting triple-negative breast cancer with an aptamer-functionalized nanoformulation: a synergistic treatment that combines photodynamic and bioreductive therapies.

Background: Areas of hypoxia are often found in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), it is thus more difficult to treat than other types of breast cancer, and may require combination therapies. A new strategy that combined bioreductive therapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT) was developed herein to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. Our design utilized the characteristics of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) molecules that reacted and consumed O at the tumor site, which led to the production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS).