Hypocrellin Derivative-Loaded Calcium Phosphate Nanorods as NIR Light-Triggered Phototheranostic Agents with Enhanced Tumor Accumulation for Cancer Therapy.

Dopamine modified hypocrellin B (DAHB) derivative-loaded calcium phosphate nanorods (DAHB@CaP NRs) were prepared as a novel phototheranostic agent for effective tumor imaging and therapy. DAHB@CaP NRs were obtained through microwave treatment using DAHB, CaCl2 , NH3 ⋅H2 O, and H3 PO4 as precursors. The DAHB@CaP NRs possessed the following advantages: 1) efficient absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region from 650 nm to 800 nm; 2) maximum NIR emission at approximately 735 nm; 3) enhanced cellular uptake efficiency in vitro and in vivo; and 4) efficient inhibition of tumor growth and low biotoxicity. These properties indicate the high capability of DAHB@CaP NRs for NIR fluorescence (FL) imaging-guided photodynamic therapy of cancer, thus offering promising new prospects for clinical applications.