BSA-IrO2: Catalase-like Nanoparticles with High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency and a High X-ray Absorption Coefficient for Anti-inflammation and Antitumor Theranostics

Intrinsically integrating precise diagnosis, effective therapy, and self-anti-inflammatory action into a single nanoparticle is attractive for tumor treatment and future clinical application, but still remains a great challenge. In this study, bovine serum albumin-iridium oxide nanoparticles (BSA-IrO2 NPs) with extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency, good photocatalytic activity, and a high X-ray absorption coefficient were prepared through one-step biomineralization. The nanoparticles allow tumor phototherapy and simultaneous photoacoustic/thermal imaging and computed tomography. More importantly, BSA-IrO2 NPs can also act as a catalase to protect normal cells against H2O2-induced reactive oxygen pressure and inflammation while significantly enhancing photoacoustic imaging through microbubble-based inertial cavitation. These remarkable features may open up the exploration iridium-based nanomaterials in theranostics.