Background: Combination therapy has attracted tremendous interest for its great potential
in treating cancers. Materials & methods: Based on chitosan-coated silver nanotriangles,
polyethylene glycol, AS1411 aptamer and doxorubicin, a multifunctional nanocomposite
(AS1411-DOX-AgNTs) was constructed and characterized. Then the photothermal properties,
ability to target breast cancer cells and anti-breast cancer effect of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs
were evaluated. Results: AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were successfully fabricated and showed
excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, breast cancer cell and tumor targeting
ability. Compared with single treatments, the combination of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs with
near-infrared irradiation possessed the strongest anti-breast cancer effect in vitro
and in vivo. Conclusion: AS1411-DOX-AgNTs hold great potential in targeted DOX delivery
and combined chemo–photothermal therapy for breast cancer.
