Since metal organic frameworks (MOF) have exhibited fascinating potential in biomedical applications, it is worthwhile to construct a MOF-based multifunctional drug delivery system. In the present study, the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) via a one-pot process. The formed DOX@ZIF-8 was then coated with polydopamine, successively chelated with Fe3+ and conjugated with hyaluronic acid (HA), finally resulting in a multifunctional ZIF-8 nanocarrier. The characterization results confirmed the successful formation of the hybrid nanocarrier. pH-responsive drug release of DOX was observed due to the innate pH-dependent stability of ZIF-8. Importantly, the flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscope results both verified the targeting ability of DOX@ZIF-HA toward prostate cancer PC-3 cells. The improved therapeutic efficacy of DOX@ZIF-HA when compared to the inhibited group was also demonstrated. Furthermore, the chelation of Fe3+ by PDA makes the prepared DOX@ZIF-HA a good contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Hence, we hope the constructed ZIF-8 based multifunctional nanocarrier could be a candidate for cancer theranostics.
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