Integrating multiple discrete function-related
theranostic modalities into one platform for effective
cancer treatments has been considered to be a challenge for current nanomedicine design. In this work, a "four-in-one"
theranostic system was simply prepared and developed for photoacoustic (PA) imaging-guided synergistic targeting chemo-gene-thermo trimodal
therapy of
breast cancer. In this system,
polyethylene glycol (PEG)-bridged
polyethylenimine (PEI) and a memHsp70 receptor-targeting
peptide (TKD), PPT, was uniformly capped on
doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded oxidized mesoporous
carbon nanospheres (OMCN) to encapsulate therapeutic genes into
cancer cells via active targeting accumulation. Taking both the advantages of OMCN (high photothermal conversion, strong PA contrast, and controllable drug loading) and the hydrophilic
polymer (gene vector, switchable pores' cap, and targeting ability), the "four-in-one"
theranostic system exhibited distinct PA imaging visualization, NIR/pH sensitive drug/gene release, and synergistic targeting therapeutic outcome, which were much superior than the single
therapy or the combination of two treatments.