Polydopamine (PDA)-activated cobalt sulfide nanospheres responsive to tumor microenvironment (TME) for chemotherapeutic-enhanced photothermal therapy

Most recently, cobalt sulfide (CoS) nanospheres (NSs) have been demonstrated as an ideal high-efficient photothermal agent for tumor elimination. However, the surface of CoS NSs is lack of functional chemical groups or active radicals to incorporate therapeutic agents, which tremendously hinders their versatile utilization in medical field. Here, surface activation of CoS NSs was realized through the growth of polydopamine (PDA) in situ via alkaline-triggered polymerization. Upon the formation of [email protected] NSs, thiol-polyethylene glycol (SH-PEG) and chemotherapeutic agent of doxorubicin (DOX) were loaded onto the particle surface by means of π-π electrostatic interaction and Michael addition reactions. As-synthesized [email protected]/PEG/DOX (CoPPD) NSs exhibited an admirable photothermal property and high loading capacity of DOX (44.6%). Furthermore, drug release can be accelerated under a more acidic pH condition mimicking tumor microenvironment (TME), ascribed to the protonation of amino group in DOX molecules. Finally, a strong chemotherapeutic-enhanced photothermal therapeutic effect was demonstrated toward solid tumor under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation without causing significant systemic toxicity. In this regard, this paradigm may offer valuable guidance for the design of multifunctional CoS-based nanoagents for medical treatment.