Fabrication of NIR/CT imaging guided xGd-WO3@PEG photothermal agents for cancer therapy

Near-infrared responsive photothermal therapy is an emerging and non-invasive cancer treatment. However, the inability of real-time imaging tracking and monitoring for the photothermal agents (PTAs) severely limits the accuracy of treatment. In this study, a series of visual xGd-WO 3 @PEG PTAs were synthesized by a one-pot solvothermal method. The effect of different Gd doping amounts on the structure, morphology, and photothermal performance has been investigated in detail. Under the near-infrared laser irradiation, the samples exhibited satisfied photothermal properties of hyperthermia in a short time. The photothermal conversion efficiency and stability of the xGd-WO 3 @PEG (x = 7 %) were further investigated. Subsequently, the near-infrared thermal and CT imaging performance was studied. The in vitro cell viability on LO2 normal and 4T1 cancer cells have also been conducted. The results showed the xGd-WO 3 @PEG nanomaterials have excellent potential in imaging-guided photothermal cancer therapy.