Cell-Derived N/P/S-Codoped Fluorescent Carbon Nanodots with Intrinsic Targeting Ability for Tumor-Specific Phototheranostics
Kai Jiang, Zhifeng Guan, Yifan Wang, Yifan Wang, Jiamin Sun, Weiwei Xiong, Fenfen Zheng, Yemei Wang, Yemei Wang, Jun‐Jie Zhu
Abstract
Combining targeting ability, imaging function, and photothermal/photodynamic therapy into a single agent is highly desired for cancer theranostics. Herein, we developed a one-for-all nanoplatform with N/P/S-codoped fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) for tumor-specific phototheranostics. The CNDs were prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal process using cancer cells as sources of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. The obtained N/P/S-codoped CNDs exhibit wide light absorption in the range of 200–900 nm and excitation-dependent emission with high photostability. Importantly, the cancer cell-derived N/P/S-codoped CNDs have outstanding biocompatibility and naturally intrinsic targeted ability for cancer cells as well as dual photothermal/photodynamic effects under 795 nm laser irradiation. Moreover, the photothermal conversion efficiency and singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) generation efficiency were calculated to be 52 and 34%, respectively. These exceptional properties enable CNDs to act as fine theranostic agents for targeted imaging and photothermal–photodynamic synergistic therapy within the NIR therapeutic window. The CNDs prepared in this work are promising for construction as a universal tumor phototheranostic platform.