Dual-Responsive Carbon Dot for pH/Redox-Triggered Fluorescence Imaging with Controllable Photothermal Ablation Therapy of Cancer

Herein we describe fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for a pH/redox-activatable fluorescent carbon dot (FNP) to realize “off–on” switched imaging-guided controllable photothermal therapy (PTT). The FNP is a carbonized self-crosslinked polymer that allows IR825 loading (FNP[IR825]) via hydrophobic interactions for cancer therapy. Fluorescence bioimaging was achieved by the internalization of FNP(IR825) into tumor cells, wherein glutathione (GSH) disulfide bonds are reduced, and benzoic imine groups are cleaved under acidic conditions. The release of IR825 from the FNP core in this system may be used to efficiently control PTT-mediated cancer therapy via its photothermal conversion after near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. In vitro and in vivo cellular uptake studies revealed efficient uptake of FNP(IR825) by tumor cells to treat the disease site. In this way we demonstrated in mice that our smart nanocarrier can effectively kill tumor cells under exposure to a NIR laser, and that the particles are biocompatible with various organs. This platform responds sensitively to the exogenous environment inside the cancer cells and may selectively induce the release of PTT-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, this platform may be useful for monitoring the elimination of cancer cells through the fluorescence on/off switch, which can be used for various applications in the field of cancer cell therapy and diagnosis.