Optimization of ligand density on polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) is critical for targeting solid tumors.  Recently, one paper published paper prepared fluorescent cyanine 5.5 dye and cyclo(arginine–glycine–aspartic acid–phenylalanine–lysine) ligand-modified polyethylene glycol-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (Cy 5.5-cRGDfK-PEG-PLGA) NPs with different ligand concentrations and investigated their cancer-targeting abilities in vitro and in vivo. The PNPs self-assembled in an aqueous solution as round particles and showed an increase in their average size as a function of cRGDfK concentration. In vitro results revealed a gradual increase in the uptake of NPs in MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells in a time- and ligand concentration-dependent manner. In vivo, NPs with 6 w/w% cRGDfK concentration showed prolonged uptake by the cancer tissue during the 7-day test period. These results suggest that Cy 5.5-cRGDfK6-PEG-PLGA NPs could serve as valuable drug carriers and diagnostic agents for the clinical treatment and targeting of solid cancers.  Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.  81, 25 January 2020, Pages 178-184.

Ultrathin Tellurium Oxide/Ammonium Tungsten Bronze Nanoribbon for Multimodality Imaging and Second Near-Infrared Region Photothermal Therapy

Developing nanophotothermal agents (PTAs) with satisfied photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) in the second NIR window (1000–1350 nm, NIR II) holds great promise for enhanced photothermal therapy effect. Herein, we develop a NIR-II PTA with advanced PTCE, based on a new two-dimensional ultrathin tellurium oxide/ammonium tungsten bronze (TeO2/(NH4)xWO3) nanoribbons (TONW NRs). The doped ammonia ions-mediated-free-electrons injection into the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital band of WO3 combined with the electronic transitions between W6+ ions and the lone pair of electrons in Te atoms achieve excellent NIR absorption of TONW NRs resulting from localized surface plasmon resonance. The polyethylene glycol functionalized TONW NRs (PEG-TONW NRs) exhibit good stability and biocompatibility, displaying a PTCE high to 43.6%, surpassing many previous nano-PTAs active in the NIR II region, leading to remarkable tumor ablation ability both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, advanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging capability of PEG-TONW NRs were also realized. Given the admirable photothermal effect in NIR II region, good biocompatibility, and advanced CT/PA imaging diagnosis capability, the novel PEG-TONW NRs is promising in future personalized medicine applications. Nano Lett.2019, 19, 2, 1179-1189.