Concave octahedral PtCu nanoframes mediated synergetic photothermal and chemodynamic tumor therapy

Hypoxia regulation by drug delivery nanocargo is an unprecedented strategy for overcoming the inherent vices of traditional tumor treatments. Particularly, stimuli-responsive nanomaterials which are sensitive to external physical stimuli (light, ultrasound, magnetic field, etc.) are greatly desired to realize controllable drug release at tumor lesions and to avoid undesirable drug leakage during the delivery process. Herein, a photothermal mediated ROS self-enhanced CDT nanoplatform is developed as anti-tumor nanoagents by Vitamin C (VC) loaded concave octahedral PtCu nanoframes (COPtCu-Ns). Typically, VC has been proved to be a promising pro-oxidant for the generation of H2O2 and causing selective toxicity to tumor cells rather than normal cells. Simultaneously, the COPtCu-Ns possess Fenton-like catalytic activity in the acidic tumor microenvironment and generate the advanced ROS substance (hydroxyl radical, •OH) subsequently, which causes more serious damage to tumor cells. The as-designed system shows good biocompatibility and bloodcompatibility, quick elimination, and no obvious tissue toxicity both in vitro and in vivo for synergistic PTT and CDT tumor therapy.