Synthesis of curcumin and indocyanine green co-loaded PLLA microparticles via solution-enhanced dispersion using supercritical CO2 for chemo-photothermal therapy of osteosarcoma

The therapy of tumor recurrence resulting from surgical resection of osteosarcoma is still a significant challenge for clinicians. In this study, we designed curcumin (CM) and indocyanine green (ICG) co-loaded poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) (PLLA-CM-ICG) composite microparticles , combining photothermal therapy with chemotherapy to enhance osteosarcoma therapy synergistically. PLLA-CM-ICG microparticles of sizes of (838.3 ± 5.4) nm were prepared by solution-enhanced dispersion by a supercritical CO 2 process. ICG in the PLLA-CM-ICG microparticles was more stable than free ICG. The PLLA-CM-ICG microparticles displayed pH- and near-infrared (NIR)-responsive CM release behavior. Moreover, NIR irradiation improved the anticancer activity of the PLLA-CM-ICG microparticles at a concentration of 250 μg/mL on MG-63 cells. Therefore, PLLA-CM-ICG microparticles could be employed as promising drug delivery systems for synergic photothermo-chemotherapy in osteosarcoma treatment.