Fabrication of hybrid rod-like mesoporous silica nanocarriers for responsive drug release and combined photo-chemotherapy

Biodegradable silica particles have become a research hotspot in the biological field due to their unique advantages, but the preparation of biodegradable silica nanoparticles with a rod-like morphology remains a challenge. In this work, Mn-doping rod-like mesoporous silica (MMS) carriers with a diameter of 30–35 nm and a length of 100 nm were prepared. The MMS carriers display reticulated pore structure and high specific surface area, which is suitable for drug loading and the high uptake efficiency. Antitumor drug doxorubicin (DOX) and photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) were adsorbed into the pores and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide and methacrylic acid) p(NIPAm-MA) was conjugated on the surfaces of MMS carriers to block the pores. ICG is capable of generating singlet oxygen and converting light to heat. The synthesized DOX-ICG@MMS/p(NIPAm-MA) displayed excellent combined photo-chemotherapy and pH/light responsive release.