Gold Nanocage-Incorporated Poly(ε-Caprolactone) (PCL) Fibers for Chemophotothermal Synergistic Cancer Therapy

• Main Authors: Ju Hyang Park (Author), Hojun Seo (Author), Da In Kim (Author), Ji Hyun Choi (Author), Jin Ho Son (Author), Jongbok Kim (Author), Geon Dae Moon (Author), Dong Choon Hyun (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2019-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1999-4923; 10.3390/pharmaceutics11020060
• Keywords: PCL; electrospinning; combination therapy; photothermal therapy; NIR-triggered drug release; Pharmacy and materia medica; RS1-441
• Source: Pharmaceutics, Vol 11, Iss 2, p 60 (2019)

This paper introduces a new fibrous system for synergistic cancer therapy, which consists of gold nanocage (AuNC)-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers with encapsulation of a chemotherapeutic anticancer drug in their core and loading of a phase-changeable fatty acid in their sheath. Under on⁻off switching of near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, the excellent photothermal ability and photostability of AuNCs allows repeated, significant heating of the fibers to a temperature available to hyperthermia. Simultaneously, the NIR light-induced heat generation enables the melting out of the loaded fatty acid, leading to a rapid release of the drug molecules from the fibers. The combination of this NIR light-triggered drug release with the repeated hyperthermia treatment exhibits excellent anticancer efficacy.