Aptamer-modified CuS nanocrystals/graphene oxide composites for controlled release of glucosamine and chemo-photothermal therapy of tumor cells

In this paper, citrate-stabilized CuS nanocrystals were modified by NH2-terminated aptamer of carcinoembryonic antigen to fabricate aptamer-CuS complex via carbodiimide-activated coupling. Then, the complex was conjugated with graphene oxide (GO) to form aptamer-CuS/GO conjugates via π-π stacking interactions. Finally, glucosamine (Glu) was loaded into aptamer-CuS/GO conjugates to prepare aptamer-CuS/GO/Glu composites. The composites enabled CEA-targeted and pH-sensitive Glu release. Under near-infrared light irradiation at 980 nm, the composites had photothermal-accelerated release of Glu and chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy in vitro. Due to combined advantages from tumor biomarker-targeted, pH-sensitive, photothermal-accelerated drug release, as well as chemo- photothermal therapy, the composites could be developed towards multifunctional drug-delivery systems for highly efficient treatment against tumor cells.