AUTHOR=Wang Na , Shi Jing , Wu Cong , Chu Weiwei , Tao Wanru , Li Wei , Yuan Xiaohai 

TITLE=Design of DOX-GNRs-PNIPAM@PEG-PLA Micelle With Temperature and Light Dual-Function for Potent Melanoma Therapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2020.599740

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2020.599740

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> The aim of this study was to construct light and temperature dual-sensitive micellar carriers loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and gold nanorods (DOX-GNRs-PNIPAM@PEG-PLA, DAPP) for melanoma therapy.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> The DAPP self-assembled using fine-tuned physicochemical properties in water. The DAPP structure, temperature- and photo-sensitivity, drug-release, <italic>in-vitro</italic> serum stability, and cytotoxicity against melanoma B16F10 cells were evaluated in detail. The corresponding <italic>in-vitro</italic> and <italic>in-vivo</italic> therapeutic mechanisms were then evaluated using a B16F10-melanoma bearing BALB/c nude mouse model (B16F10).</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The light and temperature sensitive micellar drug-delivery system assembled from block copolymer and gold nanorods exhibited a narrow particle size and size distribution, good biocompatibility, well-designed photo-temperature conversion, controlled drug release, and high serum stability. Compared with the free DOX- and PBS-treated groups, the cell endocytosis-mediated cytotoxicity and intra-tumor accumulation of DAPP was markedly enhanced by the NIR-light exposure and induced potent <italic>in-vivo</italic> tumor inhibitory activity.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The design of DAPP, a dual-functional micellar drug-delivery system with temperature- and light-sensitive properties, offers a new strategy for skin-cancer therapy with a potent therapeutic index.</p>