Mild-Temperature Photothermal Effect Enhanced by Functional Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles through Enzyme-Mediated Starvation

Mild-temperature photothermal therapy (PTT) is being extensively explored because it causes less injury to normal cells. However, the effect of mild-temperature PTT is decreased because of heat shock protein (HSP) overexpression. To solve this problem, we designed functional conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs-G) that enhance the mild-temperature photothermal effect. Upon near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, CPNs-G generate local heat to realize the photothermal effect. Meanwhile, the increased temperature enhances the catalytic activity of GOx, thus impeding the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inhibiting HSP expression. Therefore, this work provides a strategy for overcoming thermoresistance through an enzyme-mediated starvation effect regulated by NIR light.