Intracellular RNA and nuclear DNA-dual-targeted tumor therapy via upconversion nanoplatforms with UCL/MR dual-mode bioimaging

Despite remarkable progresses in nucleic acid-targeted tumor therapy, intracellular RNA and nuclear DNA-dual targeted cancer treatments via a single nano-delivery system have been little investigated. Herein, cis-platinum pro-drugs (DSP) and cytotoxic protein ribonuclease A (RNase A) dual-therapeutic agents-loaded large-pore mesoporous silica-coated beta-NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Er@beta-NaGdF4 upconversion nanoplatforms (UCSPtR) were prepared for chemo-protein combination therapy. The obtained upconversion nanoplatforms can not only transport cytotoxic protein molecules and DSP into tumor cells to induce intracellular RNA degradation-mediated and nuclear DNA-targeted killings of cancer cells, but also achieve upconversion luminescence (UCL) and magnetic resonance (MR) dual-mode bioimaging. We believe this RNA and DNA-dual-targeted nanosystem will provide more enlightenments for tumor therapy.

Automated summary

This study developed a dual-therapeutic approach using upconversion nanoplatforms to target both intracellular RNA degradation and nuclear DNA in cancer cells, achieving both chemo-protein combination therapy and dual-mode bioimaging with upconversion luminescence and magnetic resonance.