Photothermal interference urease-powered polydopamine nanomotor for enhanced propulsion and synergistic therapy

Enzyme-powered nanomotors with active motion have opened a new door in design of biocompatible drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. However, the movement of them still faces huge challenges due to the viscous physiological environment. To address this issue, we developed a photothermal interference (PTI) urease-modified polydopamine (PDA) nanomotor (PDA@HSA@Ur) for deeper-penetration of doxorubicin (DOX) through improved motion. The urease-powered nanomotors can generate self-propulsion via catalyzing decomposition of biocompatible urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia through a self-diffusiophoretic. Meanwhile, when exposed to near-infrared (NIR) laser, the increased temperature of tumors microenvironment from nanomotors can not only induce tumor cell apoptosis but also enhance the biocatalytic activity of urease to improve the motion of nanomotors. Compared to the nanomotors propelled only by urea, PTI nanomotors realize highly effective self-propulsion with improved cellular uptake in vitro. Furthermore, PTI nanomotors display an enhanced anticancer efficiency owing to synergistic photothermal and chemotherapy effect. The PTI reported in this manuscript is the first to provide a thermally assisted method for highly efficient cancer treatment with urease-powered nanomotors in a complex physiological environment through enhanced motion and synergistic therapy.