An activatable theranostic nanomedicine platform based on self-quenchable indocyanine green-encapsulated polymeric micelles

Lanxia Liu, Guilei Ma, Chao Zhang, Hai Wang, Hongfan Sun, Chun Wang, Cunxian Song, Deling Kong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Self-quenchable indocyanine green (ICG)-encapsulated micelles with folic acid (FA)-targeting specificity (FA-ICG-micelles) were developed for biologically activatable photodynamic theranostics. FA-ICG-micelles were successfully prepared using the thin-film hydration method, which allows ICG to be encapsulated with a high drug loading that induces an efficient ICGbased quenched state. FA-ICG-micelles are initially in the "OFF" state with no fluorescence signal or phototoxicity, but they become highly fluorescent and phototoxic in cellular degradative environments. Importantly, via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis, the FA targeting of FA-ICG-micelles enhanced intracellular uptake and photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Systematic administration of FA-ICG-micelles to folate receptor-positive tumor-bearing mice elicited prolonged blood circulation, enhanced tumor accumulation and improved therapeutic efficiency compared to free ICG. Therefore, based on the FA-targeted specificity and switchable photoactivity, FA-ICG-micelles have potential for photodynamic theranostics in cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1223-1233
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Biomedical Nanotechnology
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2016 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Cellular "OFF/ON" switch
  • Folic acid
  • Indocyanine green
  • Micelles
  • Photodynamic theranostics
  • Self-quenching

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An activatable theranostic nanomedicine platform based on self-quenchable indocyanine green-encapsulated polymeric micelles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this