Self-assembled micelle responsive to quick NIR light irradiation for fast drug release and highly efficient cancer therapy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.06.028
• Publication Date: 2021-06-23T14:49:00Z
• Authors: Yue Zhang; Xiaobo Zhang; Weiwei Chen; Yuling He; Ying Liu; Huangxian Ju
• Keywords: Nanocarriers

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been used for designing near infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanocarriers and controllable drug release. However, the need for long-term NIR light irradiation over hours impaired their application efficiency. Here we develop a self-assembled micelle of amphipathic polymer P-DASA which degrades via quick NIR light irradiation. UCNPs and DOX are also encapsulated in the micelle for quick drug release. P-DASA is composed of hydrophilic polyethylene glycol segment and photo-responsive hydrophobic donor-acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA). Only 5-min NIR irradiation causes the hydrophilicity conversion of P-DASA and the complete disruption of micelle with DOX fast release of 83.7% in 30 min to achieve highly efficient therapy. Moreover, the P-glycoprotein mediated DOX efflux is also diminished by concomitantly producing NO intracellularly. This micelle demonstrates impressive in vivo therapeutic effect, and thus provides an avenue for highly efficient cancer therapy.