Theranostic formulations, integrating both diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single platform, hold great potential for precision medicines. In this work, a biodegradable theranostic based on hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) is reported and explored for ultrasound/photoacoustic dual-modality imaging guided chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer. The HMONs prepared are endowed with glutathione-responsive biodegradation behavior by incorporating disulfide bonds into their framework. The nanoparticles are loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and perfluoropentane (PFP). The former acts as a photothermal agent and the latter can generate bubbles for ultrasound imaging. A paclitaxel prodrug is developed to both serve as a redox-sensitive gatekeeper controlling ICG release from the HMON pores and a chemotherapeutic. ICG generates mild hyperthermia upon exposure to an 808 nm laser, and this in turn leads to a liquid-gas phase transition of PFP, resulting in the generation of bubbles which can be used for ultrasound imaging. The platform is found to have excellent properties for both ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. In addition, both in vitro and in vivo results show that the nanoparticles provide potent synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy. The material developed in this work thus has great potential for exploitation in advanced cancer therapies.
Keywords: biodegradable; chemo‐photothermal therapy; hollow mesoporous organosilica; nanotheranostics; prodrugs; ultrasound imaging.