Porphyrins have been extensively used in clinical phototherapy. However, most of them exhibited absorption below 700 nm. We report conjugated tri-porphyrins showing absorption within a biological phototherapy window (700-850 nm). On this basis, bioinspired intracellular pH-sensitive metallo-supramolecular nanoparticles (NPs) are designed. They provide the simultaneous photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. After treatment by tail vein injection, the tumor was completely relieved without recurrence in a course of 27 days. These bioinspired intracellular pH-sensitive metallo-supramolecular NPs show excellent potential application in near-infrared photoacoustic imaging-guided chemo-photothermal combined therapy.
Keywords: metallo-supramolecular; near-infrared; photoacoustic imaging; photothermal; tri-porphyrins.