Combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy by hyaluronic acid-decorated polypyrrole nanoparticles

Aim: To develop a nanoparticle-based platform using polypyrrole and IR-780 for effective combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Materials & methods: IR-780 was loaded in a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) core, decorated with polypyrrole shells and hyaluronic acid (IPPH). Physicochemical properties and in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects of these nanoparticles were evaluated. Results: The resulting IPPHs were spherical, small and negatively charged. Under near-infrared laser irradiation, the IPPHs generated reactive oxygen species and heat and synergistically improved therapeutic efficacy. The antitumor effects were confirmed by in vitro cellular reactive oxygen species detection and cytotoxicity assays, and in vivo in a xenograft tumor model, with no damage to body organs. Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential of applying IPPH in oncology nanomedicine.