Abstract
In this work, a triple-stimuli (GSH, pH and light irradiation) responsive system were designed based on CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) coated doxorubicin (DOX) and photosensitizer hematoporphyrin (HP) dual-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). Upon entering into cancer cells, both high concentration of intracellular GSH and low pH environment would reduce CeO2 NPs to cerium ions, accompanied with the degradation of CeO2 NPs and the conformational change of HP under light irradiation, the preloaded DOX are thus released from the nanocarrier, resulting in a contrast fluorescence enhancement. Meanwhile, 1O2 generated from HP for potential photodynamic therapy (PDT) upon light irradiation. In comparison, not much influence can be observed for normal cells. This nanosystem not only has a significantly enhanced efficacy for cancer cells but also broad the scope for the future design and applications of multifunctional platforms for synergetic chemotherapy and PDT.