A tumor-mitochondria dual targeted aza-BODIPY-based nanotheranostic agent for multimodal imaging-guided phototherapy

Abstract

= 84%). By encapsulating it with polyethylene glycol-folic acid (PEG-FA) and polyethylene glycol-triphenylphosphonium (PEG-TPP), tumor and mitochondria dual targeting nanoparticles (FMAB NPs) have been obtained. Triggered by NIR irradiation, FMAB NPs could generate ROS and hyperthermia (η = 40%) to cause mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cell apoptosis. Simultaneously, FMAB NPs, with unique optical properties, can be monitored precisely by photoacoustic, fluorescence and photothermal imaging in vivo. In particular, as proved by both in vitro and in vivo experiments, tumor-mitochondria dual targeted FMAB NPs exhibit high phototherapeutic efficacy without toxicity to normal tissues.