Plasmonic MoO3-x nanoparticles incorporated in the prussian blue frameworks exhibit highly efficient dual photothermal/ photodynamic therapy $(document).ready(function() { if (!$("html").hasClass("ie8")) { $.ajax({ url: "https://crossmark-cdn.crossref.org/widget/v2.0/widget.js", dataType: "script", cache: true }).done(function() { $(".crossmark-button").addClass("visible"); }); } });

Abstract

Development of near infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanomaterials for high performance multimodal phototherapies within a single nanoplatform is still challenging in technology and biomedicine. Herein, a new phototherapeutic nano-agent based on FDA-approved prussian blue (PB) functionalized oxygen-deficient molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (MoO3–x NPs) are strategically designed and synthesized by a facile one-pot size/morphology controlled process. The as-prepared PB-MoO3–x nanocomposites (NCs) with a uniform particles size ∼90 nm and high water dispersibility, displayed strong optical absorption in the first biological window, which is induced by plasmon resonance in oxygen-deficient MoO3–x semiconductor. More importantly, PB-MoO3-x NCs not only exhibited a high photothermal conversion efficiency of ∼ 63.7 % and photostability but also offer a further approach for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon singular NIR light irradiation which is significantly improved the therapeutic efficiency of PB agent. Furthermore, PB-MoO3–x NCs demonstrated a negligible cytotoxic effect in the dark, but an excellent therapeutic effect toward two TNBC cell lines at a low concentration (20 µg/mL) of NCs and moderate NIR laser power density. Additionally, efficient tumor ablation and metastasis inhibition in a 4T1 TNBC mouse tumor model can also be realized by synergistic photothermal/ photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT) under a single continuous NIR wave laser. Taken together, this study paved the way to the use of a single nanosystem for multifunctional therapy.