Fluorescent-Based Nanoplatform with Real-Time Quantification of Drug Release

Real-time monitoring of drug release at specific sites through non-invasive imaging is very important for accurate drug delivery. Herein, based on the strategy of metal polyphenol self-assembly, an artificially activated fluorescent nanoprobe (TIDF) was facilely constructed using polymer polyphenol drug tannins, doxorubicin (DOX), indocyanine green (ICG), and Fe(III) ions. This strategy can well mask the fluorescence characteristics of ICG, and the nanoprobe TIDF had good biosafety and can maintain the stability of drugs in the process of blood circulation. When deferoxamine (DFO) was artificially applied and interacted with TIDF, the polyphenol-metal networks disintegrated, the fluorescence of ICG began to recover, and the drugs were released synchronously. Thus, the drug released at the lesion site was improved while the side effects of the drugs were reduced. Additionally, we established the relationship between the fluorescence change and the drug release so as to achieve the precise release of drugs through manual intervention. In addition, TIDF with near-infrared absorption had a good photothermal effect. The work provided a promising nanoplatform for non-invasive real-time tracking of local drug quantitative release and was expected to achieve a variety of personalized treatment applications.