Hierarchical MOF@AuNP/Hairpin Nanotheranostic for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy via O<sub>2</sub> Self-Supply and Cancer-Related MicroRNA Imaging In Vivo
Chan Yang, Shuo Tian, Weiyu Qiu, Liuting Mo, Weiying Lin
Abstract
Developing a nanotheranostic with a high sensing performance and efficient therapy was significant in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Herein, a Au nanoparticle and hairpin-loaded photosensitive metal–organic framework (PMOF@AuNP/hairpin) nanotheranostic was constructed by growing AuNPs on PMOF in situ and then attaching hairpins. On the one hand, the PMOF@AuNP/hairpin nanotheranostic could effectively transfer O 2 into ROS, facilitating efficient PDT. Additionally, the nanotheranostic possessed catalase-like activity, which could effectively catalyze H 2 O 2 to generate O 2, thus achieving O 2 -evolving PDT and significantly enhancing the antitumor effect of PDT in vivo. On the other hand, the nanotheranostic showed a high loading efficiency of hairpins and achieved the sensitive and selective detection of miR-21 both in living cells and in vivo. Moreover, the nanotheranostic could dynamically monitor the miR-21 level. Due to the excellent imaging performance, the nanotheranostic could recognize cancer cells and might provide important information on cancer progression for PDT. The developed PMOF@AuNP/hairpin nanotheranostic provided a useful tool for tumor diagnosis and antitumor therapy.