AS1411-conjugated doxorubicin-loaded silver nanotriangles for targeted chemo–photothermal therapy of breast cancer - supplementary data

<b>Background: </b>Combination therapy has attracted tremendous interest for its great potential in treating cancers. <b>Materials &amp; methods: </b>Based on chitosan-coated silver nanotriangles, polyethylene glycol, AS1411 aptamer and doxorubicin, a multifunctional nanocomposite (AS1411-DOX-AgNTs) was constructed and characterized. Then the photothermal properties, ability to target breast cancer cells and anti-breast cancer effect of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were evaluated. <b>Results: </b>AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were successfully fabricated and showed excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, breast cancer cell and tumor targeting ability. Compared with single treatments, the combination of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs with nearinfrared irradiation possessed the strongest anti-breast cancer effect <i>in vitro </i>and <i>in vivo</i>. <b>Conclusion: </b>AS1411-DOX-AgNTs hold great potential in targeted DOX delivery and combined chemo–photothermal therapy for breast cancer.