Development of light-driven gas-forming liposomes for efficient tumor treatment.

In this study, we report a gas-forming liposome containing 1H-1H-2H-perfluoro-1-hexene (PFH) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These liposomes were rapidly destabilized by external near-infrared (NIR) light, as a result of the vaporization of PFH influenced by an AuNPs-mediated photothermal event. In particular, these liposomes showed the triggered release of the encapsulated d-(KLAKLAK) peptide drug. The experimental results demonstrated that the light-irradiated liposomes significantly enhanced in vitro photothermal and d-(KLAKLAK) peptide-mediated cell death of CAOV-3 tumor cells.