Researchers in Nagoya University succeeded to form hollow hybrid nanoparticles by one-pot approach. The nanoparticles detected tumors by fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, the nanoparticles released anticancer drugs in response to light and intracellular tripeptide and simultaneously generated heat and reactive oxygen species. Thus, fluorescence imaging of tumors combined with trimodal therapy consisting of DDS, PDT, and PTT is feasible, resulting in superior therapeutic efficacy.

Illustration showing fluorescence image-guided trimodal therapy using hollow magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc)/doxorubicin (DOX)-hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) in response to glutathione (GSH) and light.

For more info (in Japanese)

http://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp/about-nu/public-relations/researchinfo/upload_images/20161216_imass.pdf

More details (English):
Adv. Funct. Mater.2016,26, 8613–8622, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201603394

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.201603394/full

Image 1Illustration showing degradation of hollow MgPc/DOX-HNPs in response to GSH and light.

Image 2TEM image of hollow MgPc/DOX-HNPs.

Image 3In vivo fluorescent images of mice before injection of hollow MgPc/DOX-HNPs-PEG-FA and at 5, 21, and 31 h postinjection (pink: fluorescence due to hollow MgPc/DOX-HNPs-PEG-FA; yellow: autofluorescence or fluorescence due to diet).

Image 4Thermal images of mice subjected to light irradiation at 24 h after injection of hollow MgPc/DOX-HNPs-PEG-FA (upper) and mice subjected to light irradiation only (lower).

Image 5Changes in relative tumor volumes.