Near‐Infrared Light‐Triggered, Targeted Drug Delivery to Cancer Cells by Aptamer Gated Nanovehicles

Abstract

A novel cell-targeting, near-infrared light-responsive drug delivery platform based on mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods that are surface-functionalized with aptamer DNA is constructed. Aptamer DNA is used as both capping and targeting agent. In vitro studies show the feasibility of using this nanocarrier for targeted and noninvasive remote controlled drug delivery and photothermal therapy. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.