Unimolecular Self-Assembled Hemicyanine–Oleic Acid Conjugate Acts as a Novel Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor to Amplify Photodynamic Therapy and Eliminate Cancer Stem Cells

-CyOA NPs that cannot target to mitochondria. In 4T1 and BCSC tumor models, CyOA NPs achieve higher tumor inhibition and less lung metastasis nodules compared to the clinically used photosensitizer Hiporfin. This study develops a self-assembled small molecule that can serve as both oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor and photosensitizer for eradication of CSCs and treatment of solid tumors.