NIR light-powered halloysite-based nanomotors for CT imaging diagnosis and synergistic chemo-photothermal cancer therapy

Near-infrared (NIR) light-powered nanomotors with active motion have attracted extensive attention in the chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer. However, there are also some limitations such as complicated synthesis process, low permeability of drugs and viscous physiological environment. Herein, we developed a facile route to synthesize novel NIR light-powered DOX/Au-m-HTAS nanomotor based on natural halloysite (HNTs) for active chemo-photothermal therapy. Such nanomotor exhibited NIR light controlled on/off motion with a maximum speed of 64.5 μm/s. Owing to the synergetic NIR light-powered motion and chemo-photothermal therapy, DOX/Au-m-HTAS nanomotor could effectively adhere tumor cells, leading to deeper cell penetration, higher cellular uptake, and better ablation of tumor cells. Meanwhile, DOX/Au-m-HTAS nanomotors also had enhanced ability for CT imaging of local tumor, demonstrating the enhanced anticancer efficiency. This strategy provided a new insight into the chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy of tumors.