Carrier-free core-shell nanodrugs for synergistic two-photon photodynamic therapy of cervical cancer.

Carrier-free nanodrugs named BCNPs were prepared by the coassembly of 2,5-bis(4-(diethylamino)benzylidene)cyclopentanone (BDBC) and curcumin (CCM) in the absence of surfactants. The as-synthesized BCNPs possess high dispersity and stability in aqueous media, along with favorable photostability and good biocompatibility. Comparing with their counterparts BDBC and CCM, BCNPs exhibit higher singlet oxygen yield and better two-photon photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Moreover, BCNPs display dramatically enhanced ability for inhibiting the growth of HeLa cells, which benefits from the synergistic treatment of BDBC and CCM under the irradiation of 450/808 nm. This work highlights the potential of using simple coassembly strategy to codelivery of multiple drugs in one single formulation for cancer therapy.