Bifunctional Gd₂O₃/C Nanoshells for MR Imaging and NIR Therapeutic Applications

Abstract This paper reports dual function Gd₂O₃/C nanoshells for application in MR contrast images and NIR‐triggered killing cancer cells. The nanoshells are prepared using biological gelatin particles as core templates through a two‐step thermal treatment. The surfaces of the nanoshells can be readily modified by poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic acid) (PSMA) polymer to improve their water‐dispersible properties and increase their biocompatibility. The Gd₂O₃/C nanoshells show brightened images of kidney cortex and liver in mice, whereas the Gd₂O₃/C@PSMA nanoshells show a darkened liver signal. The biodistribution is measured as a function of time and shows that the nanoshells circulate in the vessels and are cleared out gradually from organs. The graphite carbon coated on the Gd₂O₃ nanoshells displays absorbance in the near‐IR (NIR) region. A large extinction coefficient is obtained, indicating the potential of the nanoshells as photothermal agents. The Gd₂O₃/C@PSMA nanoshells conjugated with anti‐epithermal growth factor receptor antibodies are used for targeting and destroying A549 lung cancer cells by means of NIR‐triggered killing capability. Both laser power density and material dose dependence are investigated to evaluate photothermolysis in cancer cells.