An erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged biomimetic nanoplatform for enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer

Abstract

Nano drug delivery systems are a research hotspot in the field of tumor therapy. In this work, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets were selected as the base material and a natural red blood cell membrane (RBC membrane) was camouflaged on the nanosheets to enhance their dispersibility and tumor targeting profile. The camouflaged molybdenum disulfide nanocomposites (MoS₂-RBC) were successfully prepared by incubation. This nanomaterial has good stability and biocompatibility with a good immune evasion ability. MoS₂ has a large specific surface area and unique layered structure, which provides favorable conditions for the loading of anticancer drugs. Adriamycin hydrochloride (DOX) was used as the model drug and the drug loading capacity was 98.98%. In the tumor microenvironment, the red cell membrane modified MoS₂ drug delivery system (MoS₂-RBC-DOX) showed obvious pH-dependent release behavior. In addition, the excellent photothermal properties of MoS₂ are conducive to the release of drugs, thus improving the efficacy. According to the cell tests, MoS₂-RBC had no cytotoxicity toward tumor cells, while DOX loading induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, MoS₂-RBC has a favorable photothermal effect, and chemotherapy combined with photothermal therapy is more effective than any single therapy. In vivo fluorescence imaging and in vivo photothermal imaging experiments confirmed the promoted accumulation of carrier materials at the tumor site after RBC membrane modification. Finally, in vivo antitumor studies showed that photothermal/chemotherapy combined with MoS₂-RBC could completely inhibit tumor growth, and the body weights of mice fluctuated within the normal range without significant decrease. In summary, this MoS₂-RBC drug delivery system provides a safe, rapid and effective option for future treatment of breast cancer.