Significance
The described EGFR targeted PLGA/polydopamine core-shell nanoparticle (PLGA/PD NP) is novel in the following aspects: Different from most photothermal converting nanomaterials, PLGA/PD NP is biodegradable, which eliminates the long-term safety concerns thwarting the clinical application of photothermal therapy. Different from most photothermal nanomaterials, upon NIR irradiation, PLGA/PD NP quickly heats its surrounding environment to a NP concentration dependent peak working temperature and uniquely keeps that temperature constant through the duration of light irradiation. Due to this unique property an overheating or overburn situation for the adjacent healthy tissue can be easily avoided. The PLGA/PD NP releases its payload through detaching PD shell under NIR laser irradiation. The EGFR-targeted doxorubicin-loaded PLGA/PD NP effectively eradicate head and neck tumor in vivo through the synergism of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy while not introducing doxorubicin associated cardiotoxicity.
Statement of significance
The described EGFR targeted PLGA/polydopamine core-shell nanoparticle (PLGA/PD NP) is novel in the following aspects: Different from most photothermal converting nanomaterials, PLGA/PD NP is biodegradable, which eliminates the long-term safety concerns thwarting the clinical application of photothermal therapy. Different from most photothermal nanomaterials, upon NIR irradiation, PLGA/PD NP quickly heats its surrounding environment to a NP concentration dependent peak working temperature and uniquely keeps that temperature constant through the duration of light irradiation. Due to this unique property an overheating or overburn situation for the adjacent healthy tissue can be easily avoided. The PLGA/PD NP releases its payload through detaching PD shell under NIR laser irradiation. The EGFR-targeted doxorubicin-loaded PLGA/PD NP effectively eradicate head and neck tumor in vivo through the synergism of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy while not introducing doxorubicin associated cardiotoxicity.