Self‐Amplified Apoptosis Targeting Nanoplatform for Synergistic Magnetic–Thermal/Chemo Therapy In Vivo

Abstract The low efficiency homing of nanomaterials in tumors remains a major challenge in nanomedicine. Inspired by the apoptosis targeting properties of phosphatidylserine (PS), a self‐amplified apoptosis targeting nanoplatform (MNPs‐ZnDPA/ β ‐Lap) is fabricated combining Zn 0.4 Co 0.6 Fe 2 O 4 @Zn 0.4 Mn 0.6 Fe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (MNPs) with an excellent magnetic hyperthermia effect, a chemotherapeutic drug of β ‐lapachone ( β ‐Lap) with the promotion of cell apoptosis, and the good apoptosis targeting moiety of Zn(II)‐bis(dipicolylamine) (bis‐ZnDPA) for PS. In an apoptotic 4T1 xenograft model, MNPs‐ZnDPA/ β ‐Lap can first accumulate in tumors by the EPR effect. The released β ‐Lap triggers the apoptosis of cancer cells in the tumor and increases the apoptotic target, which results in amplifying their apoptosis targeting properties. This self‐amplified apoptosis targeting efficiency of MNPs‐ZnDPA/ β ‐Lap almost inhibits the growth of tumors with the synergistic magnetic–thermal/chemo therapy, which can offer a significant promise for targeting cancer theranostics.