title: Indocyanine green targeted micelles with improved stability for near-infrared image-guided photothermal tumor therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Indocyanine green (ICG) is a promising near-infrared (NIR) dye for tumor imaging and photothermal therapy; however, the poor stability and lack of targeting limit its application. In this study, ICG was encapsulated into folate-conjugated poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) micelles to overcome these problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  ICG-loaded micelles were prepared by solvent evaporation method. Cell uptake and in vitro photothermal cytotoxicity were evaluated on KB cells. In vivo NIR imaging and photothermal therapy were conducted on KB tumor-bearing mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICG-loaded micelles with favorable sizes and stable NIR optical properties were successfully prepared. These micelles could target to KB tumors and enabled high-resolution NIR imaging. Moreover, they could effectively convert the absorbed NIR laser energy into heat, resulting in significant tumor damage and inhibition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel micellar system, integrating stable NIR properties, excellent tumor targeting and photothermal capability, showed great potential in tumor imaging and therapy.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu-Hang-Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Liyan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008823:Micelles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010789:Phototherapy; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008823:Micelles; D011073:Polyamines; D011091:Polyesters; C511916:poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline); C016240:polycaprolactone; D005492:Folic Acid; D007208:Indocyanine Green
keywords: 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline; NIR imaging; folate; indocyanine green; micelle; photothermal therapy