A Drug‐Delivery Vehicle Combining the Targeting and Thermal Ablation of HER2+ Breast‐Cancer Cells with Triggered Drug Release

Abstract

Covering all three bases: Drug-delivery vehicles that encapsulate doxorubicin (Dox) within a pH-sensitive matrix embedded with gold nanoparticles were synthesized with Herceptin–poly(ethylene glycol) conjugates on the surface for the specific binding of cancer cells (see picture; NIR=near infrared). Cell targeting was combined with enhanced cytotoxicity through triggered drug release (at pH 5–6) and thermal ablation (a photothermal effect). As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.