Tri-responsive porous silica carrier with gold nanoparticles for chemophotothermal combination therapy

A multifunctional nanoplatform (pSiO 2 –Au/HA) combining porous silica (pSiO 2 ) carriers and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was synthesized for chemophotothermal synergistic therapy. The pSiO 2 carrier has the diameter size of 70 nm and high specific surface area (510.8 m 2 ·g −1 ). Au NPs as photothermal agents and gatekeepers were linked to pSiO 2 carriers by Au–S bonds for redox-responsive drug release and photothermal effect. Hyaluronic acid (HA) molecules were conjugated by the amide bonds on the surface of porous silica (pSiO 2 ) to seal the drug-loaded pores and endow it pH-and enzyme-responsive property. The results demonstrated that pSiO 2 –Au/HA carriers displayed good pH/redox/enzyme-responsive release behavior and photothermal effect, which may be a good promising targeted delivery systems for chemophotothermal therapy.