Capture and release of circulating tumor cells stimulated by pH and NIR irradiation of magnetic Fe3O4@ZIF-8 nanoparticles

Detecting and analyzing circulating tumor cells(CTCs) is significant for early diagnosis, management, and personalized treatment of tumors. Herein, a smart magnetic aptamer modified Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-8 core/shell structured nanoparticle (NPs) was successfully constructed using for capture and simultaneous pH- and NIR-irradiation responsive release of CTCs. Taking MCF-7 as model CTCs, it could be captured ca. 60 % in low-concentration artificial blood by aptamer (SYL3C) on the surface of Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-8 NPs. After magnetic separation, the ZIF-8 shell in aptamer-modified Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-8 NPs carrying captured CTCs would disintegrate within 20 min under the synergistic effect of an acidic environment (pH=6.0) and NIR irradiation leading to the release of CTCs with high cell viability , which was benefited for the subsequent culture and analysis. This magnetic and core/shell structured device integrated high-efficiency capture, quick isolation and perfect release into one system, which showed great potential s for the detection of CTCs in the clinic.