Multifunctional lymph-targeted platform based on Mn@mSiO₂ nanocomposites: Combining PFOB for dual-mode imaging and DOX for cancer diagnose and treatment

A universal platform with Mn doping and hyaluronic acid (HA) modification, based on mesoporous silica (mSiO₂), was designed and used as a basic multifunctional material with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Furthermore, we added flexible functions through the addition of functional molecules. Specially, two typical compounds, hydrophobic perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) and hydrophilic doxorubicin (DOX), were loaded into the channels to obtain PFOB@Mn@mSiO₂@HA (PMMH) or DOX@Mn@mSiO₂@HA (DMMH) nanoparticles for dual-mode imaging or imaging and therapy, respectively. The PMMH and DMMH nanoparticles were highly targeted to the lymph system in vitro and in vivo. MR and ultrasound imaging of PMMH nanoparticles were performed in the lymph system, while MR imaging and chemotherapy of DMMH nanoparticles was used to detect cancer. These results showed that both PMMH and DMMH nanoparticles can be designed with high lymph targeting efficiency. PMMH nanoparticles are a dual-mode contrast agent for both ultrasound and MR imaging for the lymph system and DMMH nanoparticles are powerful agents for the combined diagnosis and therapy of cancer in vivo.