A Smart Near-Infrared Carbon Dot-Metal Organic Framework Assemblies for Tumor Microenvironment-Activated Cancer Imaging and Chemodynamic-Photothermal Combined Therapy

Tumor microenvironment (TME)-activated cancer imaging and therapy is a key to achieving accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer and reducing the side effects. Herein, smart near-infrared carbon dot-metal organic framework MIL-100 (Fe) assemblies are constructed to achieve TME-activated cancer imaging and chemodynamic-photothermal combined therapy. First, a near-infrared emission carbon dot (RCDs) is developed using glutathione (GSH) as the precursor. Then, the RCDs@MIL-100 self-assemblies are obtained using RCDs, FeCl3, and trimesic acid solutions as raw materials. After the RCDs@MIL-100 enters the TME, a high concentration of GSH reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+ and drains the GSH, triggering the collapse of RCDs@MIL-100 skeleton and the release of RCDs and Fe2+, at which time the RCDs fluorescence is restored and in an on state to illuminate the tumor cells, which achieved cancer imaging. The released Fe2+ reacts with H2O2 in the TME to form highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) by Fenton reaction, which achieves the chemodynamic therapy of tumors. Thus, efficient synergistic chemodynamic-photothermal dual mode therapy is achieved under fluorescence imaging guidance with TME response.

Automated summary

The study presents a method for achieving tumor microenvironment-activated cancer imaging and chemodynamic-photothermal combined therapy using smart near-infrared carbon dot-metal organic framework assemblies. This approach allows for efficient synergistic chemodynamic-photothermal dual mode therapy under fluorescence imaging guidance with TME response.