Enzyme-triggered self-assembly of gold nanoparticles for enhanced retention effects and photothermal therapy of prostate cancer

A peptide-modified gold nanoparticle was developed for tumour-targeted therapy. Triggered by alkaline phosphatase, the CREKA-YpFFK(Nph) peptide can self-assemble and further result in accumulation of gold nanoparticles in tumour cells. The large-sized gold nanoparticle aggregates cannot escape from the tumour tissue, therefore realizing the goal of tumour-specific targeting, enhanced retention and photo-thermal effects.