Near-infrared light-mediated photodynamic/photothermal therapy nanoplatform by the assembly of Fe(3)O(4) carbon dots with graphitic black phosphorus quantum dots

BACKGROUND: Recently, combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) has become a desired treatment for cancer. However, the development of economic, high-efficiency, and safe photosensitizers/photothermal agents remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel nanocomposite has been developed via the assembly of iron oxide carbon dot (Fe(3)O(4)-CDs) nanoparticles and black phosphorus quantum dots (genipin [GP]-polyglutamic acid [PGA]-Fe(3)O(4)-CDs@BPQDs), and this nanocomposite shows a broad light-absorption band and a photodegradable character. RESULTS: In vitro and in vivo assays indicated that GP-PGA-Fe(3)O(4)-CDs@BPQDs were highly biocompatible and exhibited excellent tumor-inhibition efficacy, due to the synergistic PTT and PDT via a near-infrared laser. Importantly, in vivo tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results illustrated that GP-PGA-Fe(3)O(4)-CDs@BPQDs can be specifically applied for enhanced T(2) MRI of tumors. This work presents the first combined application of a PDT and PTT effect deriving from BPQDs and MRI from Fe(3)O(4)-CDs, which may promote utilization of black BPQDs in biomedicine. CONCLUSION: As expected, GP-PGA-Fe(3)O(4)-CDs@BPQDs displayed a dramatically enhanced ability to destroy tumor cells, due to the synergistic combination of PTT and PDT.