PD-L1 Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanorods for Targeted Combined Chemo-Photothermal Therapy in Breast Cancer

The failure of chemotherapy to effectively target cancer cells is a major problem in cancer treatment. Herein, an acidic/near-infrared (NIR) dual-triggered drug release nanoplatform, AuNR/Apt-P@DOX, based on aptamer-functionalized gold nanorods (AuNRs) was reported for actively targeted combined chemo-photothermal therapy. The nanoplatform was prepared by functionalizing AuNRs with the PD-L1 aptamer (Apt-P) and loading DOX, which could be triggered to release under weak acidic conditions and NIR stimulation. Meanwhile, the chemotherapy effect coming from DOX and AuNRs played a vital role in photothermal therapy. The MTT results showed that the fatality rate of MCF-7 cancer cells was up to 80% under the targeting effect of Apt-P. Furthermore, the tumors in mice were almost completely cured under the combined action of photothermal and chemotherapy. This targeted combination therapeutic approach could offer novel insights into the advancement of antitumor strategies for clinical translation.