One-pot method to prepare a theranostic nanosystem with magnetic resonance imaging function and anticancer activity through multiple mechanisms

A facile and robust one-pot approach to prepare a theranostic nanoplatform, based on chelation between Gd3+ and hypericin photosensitizer (PS) and their controlled in situ hydrolysis precipitation, was developed. In this strategy, PS drugs and Gd3+ were directly used as building blocks to construct theranostic nanoparticles, resulting in a greatly increased active substance-loading efficiency and ensuring their theranostic effect. The resulting nanoparticles have multifunction capabilities for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and anticancer activity through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) deprivation and heavy atom effect (HAE)-improved photodynamic therapy (PDT) mechanisms.