Park, Ji-Ho Sung, Yejin Jo, SeongHoon Lee, Seung Ho Ryu, Ju Hee Sun, In-Cheol Ahn, Cheol-Hee 2024-05-16T09:30:19Z 2024-05-16T09:30:19Z 2024-05-16 2024-04 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/149852 Copper-based nanomaterials have been employed as therapeutic agents for cancer therapy and diagnosis. Nevertheless, persistent challenges, such as cellular toxicity, non-uniform sizes, and low photothermal efficiency, often constrain their applications. In this study, we present Cu2+-loaded silica nanoparticles fabricated through the chelation of Cu2+ ions by silanol groups. The integration of Cu2+ ions into uniformly sized silica nanoparticles imparts a photothermal therapy effect. Additionally, the amine functionalization of the silica coating facilitates the chemical conjugation of tumor-specific fluorescence probes. These probes are strategically designed to remain in an 'off' state through the F & ouml;rster resonance energy transfer mechanism until exposed to cysteine enzymes in cancer cells, inducing the recovery of their fluorescence. Consequently, our Cu2+-loaded silica nanoparticles demonstrate an efficient photothermal therapy effect and selectively enable cancer imaging. English Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) Applications of Cu2+-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles to Photothermal Therapy and Tumor-Specific Fluorescence Imaging Article 10.3390/jfb15040081 1 Journal of Functional Biomaterials, v.15, no.4 Journal of Functional Biomaterials 15 4 Y scie scopus 001211251800001 2-s2.0-85191599006 Engineering, Biomedical Materials Science, Biomaterials Engineering Materials Science Article COPPER-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TOXICITY SULFIDE PROBES RED photothermal therapy tumor-specific imaging copper ions silica nanoparticles