pH/GSH Dual-Responsive Janus-Type Au@H-MP@DOX MR Molecular Imaging Nanomotor for Combined Photothermal/Chemotherapeutic Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer.

Abstract

Chemotherapy is a widely used cancer treatment modality, while the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly impedes drug delivery and deep tissue penetration. An MR molecular imaging drug-loaded nanomotor has been developed to achieve deep tumor tissue penetration and imaging-guided drug delivery, enabling combined photothermal and chemotherapeutic treatment of pancreatic cancer. A Janus-type nanomotor (Au@H-MP NMs) was fabricated via magnetron sputtering for application in photothermal therapy. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto one hemisphere of the nanomotor, achieving combined photothermal and chemotherapeutic treatment. Additionally, the nanomotor exhibits dual responsiveness to pH and glutathione (GSH), facilitating the controlled release of DOX within deep tumor tissues. Studies confirmed the nanomotors excellent biosafety, strong photothermal conversion capability, and effective induction of apoptosis. Tumor tissue penetration was validated through in vitro migration and infiltration assays, while in vivo experiments demonstrated significant tumor suppression and enhanced drug accumulation. Moreover, MR imaging technology enables real-time monitoring of nanomotor dynamics. These findings suggest that the synthesized Janus-type MR molecular imaging nanomotor offers a promising strategy for multimodal treatment of pancreatic cancer with significant clinical potential.