Lanthanide–Cyclen–Camptothecin Nanocomposites for Cancer Theranostics Guided by Near-Infrared and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We have devised a molecular-to-micellar strategy to incorporate lanthanide nanoplatform for the delivery of an anticancer drug that simultaneously offers hybrid near-infrared (NIR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities with defined lanthanide(III) ratio control. This cancer-selective lanthanide-based self-assembled nanocomposite (LnNPs) has been synthesized by conjugating lanthanide–cyclen complexes (cycLn) well-known drug–camptothecin (CPT) through redox-sensitive disulfide bond (−ss–). By accurately controlling Gd(III) Yb(III) complexes, we prepared nanoparticles (Gd/YbNPs) both NIR MR properties. The enhanced stability at ultralow critical aggregation concentrations (CACs), simultaneous optical imaging, improved delivery/chemotherapeutic efficiency, cancer cell selectivity such nanomicellar theranostic prodrugs in vitro vivo thus achieved validated. work provides blueprint combining stimuli-activated luminescence real-time into safe biocompatible selective treatment.