title: Conjugated-polyelectrolyte-based polyprodrug: targeted and image-guided photodynamic and chemotherapy with on-demand drug release upon irradiation with a single light source.
abstract: Nanomaterials that combine diagnostic and therapeutic functions within a single nanoplatform are highly desirable for molecular medicine. Herein we report a novel theranostic platform based on a conjugated-polyelectrolyte (CPE) polyprodrug that contains functionality for image, chemo- and photodynamic therapy (PDT), and on-demand drug release upon irradiation with a single light source. Specifically, the PEGylated CPE serves as a photosensitizer and a carrier, and is covalently conjugated to doxorubicin through a linker that can be cleaved by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under appropriate light irradiation, the CPE can generate ROS, not only for PDT, but also for on-demand drug release and chemotherapy. This nanoplatform will offer on-demand PDT and chemotherapy with drug release triggered by one light switch, which has great potential in cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117576 (Singapore).
authors.forename: Youyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004355:Drug Stability; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000737:chemistry*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004573:Electrolytes; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011108:Polymers; D011355:Prodrugs; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
keywords: conjugated polyelectrolytes; drug delivery; image-guided therapy; nanotechnology; photodynamic therapy