Injectable self-healing polysaccharide hydrogel loading CuS and pH-responsive DOX@ZIF-8 nanoparticles for synergistic photothermal-photodynamic-chemo therapy of cancer

The injectable self-healing polysaccharide hydrogel was prepared by the formation of Schiff base bonds between aldehyde-modified methylcellulose (MCCHO) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). The copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) and pH-sensitive doxorubicin-loaded zeolitic imidazolate frameworks nanoparticles ([email protected] NPs) were prepared and could be well-dispersed into the hydrogel system. The presence of CuS NPs can achieve photothermal therapy (PTT) for tumors under the irradiation of the near-infrared (NIR) laser. Moreover, CuS NPs can generate photodynamic effects under NIR irradiation, converting oxygen into toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and presenting efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT). The [email protected] NPs can be decomposed under an intracellular acidic environment and realize the controlled release of DOX. The injectable self-healing hydrogel loading CuS and [email protected] NPs can achieve synergistic photothermal-photodynamic-chemo therapy for tumors and will inspire the researchers to construct a platform from hydrogel combined with multifunctional nanomaterials to realize the effective multimodal therapy for tumor.