NanoGold-core dendrimeric seeds for combined chemo-, photothermal-, and photodynamic therapy of cancer

This article reports the development of nanoGold Core Dendrimeric seeds (nGCD) for combined chemo-, photothermal- and photodynamic therapies of breast cancer. The tethering of nGCD with Methotrexate (MTTX, a folate analogue) enhanced the cancer cell specific receptor-targeted uptake of nGCD. Docking study supported MTTX as a α-folate receptor ligand analogue. The IR780 (photodynamic bioactive) doping in nGCD (nGCD-MTTX-IR780) resulted in a architect that exhibited NIR laser responsive potent photothermal conversion efficiency, high reactive oxygen species generation and high cytotoxicity in vitro, as well as high stability and hemocompatibility. The NIR laser was also found to control the drug release pattern in a pH dependent manner. The developed architect showed promising result with diverse applications in cancer therapy and theragnosis.