Graphene oxide coating core-shell silver sulfide@mesoporous silica for active targeted dual-mode imaging and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy against tumorsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: The QY of probe; zeta potential and stability of probe; photothermal effect and phagocytosis effect of probe; localization of DOX in cell; biocompatibility of probe in vivo. See DOI: 10.1039/c8tb00940f

• Main Authors: Song, Yuan-Yang, Li, Cheng, Yang, Xiao-Quan, An, Jie, Cheng, Kai, Xuan, Yang, Shi, Xue-Meng, Gao, Meng-Juan, Song, Xian-Lin, Zhao, Yuan-Di, Chen, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 25.07.2018
• ISSN: 2050-750X; 2050-7518
• DOI: 10.1039/c8tb00940f

The accurate treatment of tumors with the help of multimodality imaging is of great significance. Herein, a novel multifunctional probe combining active targeted fluorescent imaging (FL)/photoacoustic imaging (PA) and chemo-photothermal therapy for tumors has been designed. Targeting molecule folate (FA) modified graphene oxide (GO) was used to coat core-shell silver sulfide@mesoporous silica (QD@Si) while antitumoral doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded in mesoporous channels by electrostatic adhesion, and a delivery system (QD@Si-D/GO-FA) for active targeted dual-mode imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal for tumors was successfully obtained. Experiments showed the cell survival rate was 76.3 ± 4.6% when the probe concentration reached 0.5 mg mL −1 , and demonstrated that the probe had good biocompatibility. In vivo and in vitro results indicated that this probe could be used for active targeted FL/PA for tumors with overexpressed FA receptors. The temperature of the tumor rose to 63.5 °C under laser irradiation, and the tumor could be killed more effectively after combination with chemotherapy, which was caused by exfoliation of GO from QD@Si-D/GO-FA after irradiation. These results showed that the probe had great potential for application in oncology and is expected to provide evidence for early diagnosis and treatment of tumors. FA-modified-GO coated core-shell Ag 2 S@mesoporous silica where DOX was loaded for active targeting FL/PA imaging and synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of tumors.