biostudies-literatureUnknown18Hu HChemo-photodynamic therapy shows great potential for cancer treatment. However, the rational integration of chemotherapeutic agents and photosensitizers to construct an intelligent nanoplatform with synergistic therapeutic effect is still a great challenge. In this work, curcumin-loaded reduction-responsive prodrug nanoparticles of new indocyanine green (Cur@IR820-ss-PEG) were developed for synergistic cancer chemo-photodynamic therapy. Cur@IR820-ss-PEG exhibit high drug loading content and special worm-like morphology, contributing to their efficient cellular uptake. Due to the presence of the disulfide bond between IR820 and PEG, Cur@IR820-ss-PEG display reduction responsive drug release behaviors. The efficient cellular uptake and reduction triggered drug release of Cur@IR820-ss-PEG leaMaterials today. Bio100542https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9840183biostudies-literatureReduction-responsive worm-like nanoparticles for synergistic cancer chemo-photodynamic therapy.PMC9840183Hu YHong JNi XHu HXu QXu DWang JTang YfalseReduction-responsive worm-like nanoparticles for synergistic cancer chemo-photodynamic therapy.Chemo-photodynamic therapy shows great potential for cancer treatment. However, the rational integration of chemotherapeutic agents and photosensitizers to construct an intelligent nanoplatform with synergistic therapeutic effect is still a great challenge. In this work, curcumin-loaded reduction-responsive prodrug nanoparticles of new indocyanine green (Cur@IR820-ss-PEG) were developed for synergistic cancer chemo-photodynamic therapy. Cur@IR820-ss-PEG exhibit high drug loading content and special worm-like morphology, contributing to their efficient cellular uptake. Due to the presence of the disulfide bond between IR820 and PEG, Cur@IR820-ss-PEG display reduction responsive drug release behaviors. The efficient cellular uptake and reduction triggered drug release of Cur@IR820-ss-PEG lea2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-05T12:57:34.72Z2025-04-05T12:57:34.72ZS-EPMC98401833664753810.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100542