Aptamer-Functionalized Nanoscale Metal–Organic Frameworks for Targeted Photothermal-Chemo Combined Tumor Therapy

Owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of tumors, accurate targeting and multimodal combination therapy are urgently in need. Herein, an intelligent nanoplatform DOX/CuS@MOF-199/Apt-M was developed by in situ sulfation of nanoscale MOF-199 and covalent conjugation of the MUC1 aptamer. The prepared intelligent nanoplatform displayed a high loading capacity for the antitumor drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). Attributed to the plasmon resonance effect of CuS nanoparticles, the intelligent nanoplatform could effectively convert light energy into thermal energy to achieve enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) under NIR laser irradiation. An acidic microenvironment and heat promoted the DOX release efficiently, which could achieve chemotherapy (CHT). Moreover, DOX/CuS@MOF-199/Apt-M could accumulate at the tumor site more efficiently with the aid of an aptamer, facilitating enhanced photothermal-chemotherapy (PTT-CHT) combined therapy. Compared to PTT or CHT monotherapy, the PTT-CHT combined therapy displayed the desired antitumor efficacy. The proposed enhanced PTT-CHT combined therapy with the aid of the targeting ability of the aptamer provided a strategy for the development of nanomaterial-based antitumor drugs.