Gold Nanocage/DNA Nanoplatforms with Multivalent Aptamers Based on Rolling Circle Amplification for Tumor-Targeted Drug Controlled Release and Synergistic Therapy

As a photothermal agent, gold nanocages (GNCs) can act as inorganic photosensitizers to mediate the generation of reactive oxygen species and convert absorbed light into heat to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapy. In this study, we proposed a nanoplatform named “GNCs@RAA-DOX”, which synthesized DNA macromolecule long chain (RAA) using rolling circle amplification (RCA) technology carrying GNCs and Doxorubicin (DOX). Meanwhile, RAA serves as a scaffold to connected the AS1411 aptamer to form a multivalent aptamer, which could effectively target the overexpressed nucleolins on the membrane of the cancer cells, thus enhancing the internalization of the nanoplatform. After entering the tumor cells, RAA structures were degraded by intracellular deoxyribonucnase I to release chemotherapy drugs DOX. Meanwhile, after near-infrared laser irradiation of GNCs, the nanoplatform could simultaneously achieve multimodal synergistic treatment of photothermal, photodynamic and chemotherapy. This multifunctional nanomaterial provides a synergistic therapeutic solution and potential opportunities for future cancer treatments.