Grade-targeted nanoparticles for improved hypoxic tumor microenvironment and enhanced photodynamic cancer therapy.

The hypoxia of the tumor microenvironment (TME), low transfer efficiency of photosensitizers and limited diffusion distance of reactive oxygen species restrict the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT). To produce TME-responsive and effective nanoparticles for sensitizing PDT. CD44 and mitochondria grade-targeted hyaluronic acid (HA)-triphenylphosphine (TPP)-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-catalase (CAT) nanoparticles (HTACNPs) were synthesized via a modified double-emulsion method. and experiments were performed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of HTACNP-mediated PDT. HTACNPs specifically targeted MV3 cells and the mitochondria and produced O to relieve TME hypoxia. HTACNP-mediated PDT produced reactive oxygen species to induce irreversible cell apoptosis. HTACNP-PDT inhibited melanoma growth effectively . HTACNP-mediated PDT improved TME hypoxia and effectively enhanced PDT for cancer.