Polydopamine-Encapsulated Perfluorocarbon for Ultrasound Contrast Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

Biomedical nanoplatforms have been widely investigated for ultrasound (US) imaging and cancer therapy. Herein, perfluorocarbon (PFC) is encapsulated into biocompatible polydopamine (PDA) to form a theranostic nanosystem, followed by the modification of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to stabilize the nanoparticle via a facile one-pot method. Under 808 nm near-infrared laser irradiation, PDA can generate hyperthermia to transform PFC droplets to bubbles with high US imaging sensitivity. The US imaging detection of the PFC-PDA-PEG nanosystem is achievable in a time span of up to 25 min in vitro at a low US frequency and mechanical index, manifesting a US imaging performance for in vivo application. Moreover, tumor cells incubated with the nanosystem are ablated effectively under laser irradiation at 808 nm. The results illustrate the potential of the PDA-based theranostic agent in US imaging-guided photothermal therapy of tumor.