NIR-responsive cisplatin nanoparticles for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma

The typically occurring malignant tumor in the head and neck is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is highly aggressive and invasive. Despite surgical advancements, radiation, and chemotherapy, the prognosis for OSCC is still poor. Chemotherapy's effectiveness is frequently restricted by its serious side effects and the development of resistance. In this study, a cisplatin (CDDP)-loaded magnetic targeting nanoplatform (CDDP@PPy@Fe₃O₄) has been designed for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy. PPy with carboxyl groups was first prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization. Then, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized <i>in situ</i> on its surface and loaded with CDDP through a reaction with the carboxyl groups. The CDDP@PPy@Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite serves not only as a nanocarrier for the targeted delivery of CDDP to alleviate the systemic toxicity of chemotherapy but also possesses excellent photothermal conversion properties, generating localized heat upon near-infrared laser irradiation that enables photothermal therapy. Contrary to using only chemotherapy or photothermal therapy, CDDP@PPy@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles combined with NIR exposure exert superior anticancer effects against OSCC both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> while exhibiting minimal side effects. Therefore, CDDP@PPy@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles could be a promising candidate for nanomedicine in OSCC combination therapy.