Targeted delivery of photoactive diazido Pt-IV complexes conjugated with fluorescent carbon dots

A novel Pt-IV-azide@carbon dots (CDs) nanoplatform for photo-controlled targeted platinum drug delivery was developed. The Pt-IV-N-3-FA@CDs nanoplatform selectively targeted folate-receptor overexpressed cancer cells while being simultaneously traced based on its inherent fluorescence; and it showed no dark cytotoxicity even in the presence of reducing glutathione, whereas it was readily photo-activated by either UV or visible light, producing cytotoxicity at a level comparable with that of cisplatin.