Redox-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles for chemo- photodynamic combination cancer therapy

Traditional chemotherapy remains the primary cancer treatment, but it shows low enrichment and non-specificity. Hence, we have designed a multifunctional nanocarrier based on glutathione (GSH)-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). Firstly, disulfide bonds were linked on the surface of mesoporous silica. Then, doxorubicin (DOX) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) were co-loaded into the pores. Finally, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) coated the nanoparticles to obtain the DOX/Ce6@MSN-SS-CMCS (DOX/Ce6@MSC) nanocarrier. The synthesized DOX/Ce6@MSC showed good monodispersity, dimensional stability, and consistent spectral characteristics. DOX/Ce6@MSC could effectively enter cancer cells and successfully deliver drugs. Under 660 nm laser irradiation, DOX/Ce6@MSC exhibited an effective photodynamic therapy effect that resists MCF-7 cells by triggering reactive oxygen species production. Thereby, it could efficiently inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell death. Anticancer analysis of tumor-bearing mice demonstrates that the DOX/Ce6@MSC combination treatment induced cell apoptosis effectively and showed an excellent antitumor effect in vivo. Therefore, DOX/Ce6@MSC nano-drug delivery system could be an effective strategy in cancer treatment.

Automated summary

In this study, a multifunctional nanocarrier based on glutathione-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles was designed, which effectively delivered chemotherapy drugs and resisted cancer cells through photodynamic therapy. The synthesized nanocarrier showed excellent efficacy in tumor treatment.