Comparative effect of thermo/pH-responsive polymer-coated gold nanocages and hollow nanostars on chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer cells

Abstract Background Combination chemo-photothermal therapy appears to be one of the next generations cancer treatment. In this study hollow gold nanostars (HGNSs) and nanocages (GNCs) were synthesized stabilized with thermo-pH-sensitive thiol-end capped ABC triblock copolymer poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly( N isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly (e-caprolactone)-SH; PAA-b-PNIPAAm-b-PCL-SH (GNSs@Pol). Doxorubicin (Dox) was conjugated GNSs@Pol nanostructures via ionic interaction, covalent attachment hydrogen bonding (GNSs@Dox-Pol). The physicochemical characteristics prepared GNSs assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) zeta potential techniques. Cytocompatibility studied by hemolysis assay MTT assay. (PTT) GNSs@Dox-Pol compared on MCF7 cells assay, cell cycle, DAPI staining Annexin-V apoptosis Results Cell internalization results showed an almost complete uptake MCF-7 in first 3 h heat generation measurement that both have a for conversion (∆ T = 23–27 ºC) HGNSs demonstrated better efficiency than GNCs after 10-min exposure NIR irradiation. Following treatment, highest mortality (90%) apoptotic effects (97% apoptosis) observed HGNSs@Dox-Pol received laser irradiation treatment group. Conclusions This work highlights application designed combinational chemo-PTT treat breast cells. Graphic abstract