Figure 13.

Schematic representation of a near-infrared photo-thermal responsive dual aptamers-targeted docetaxel-containing nano-particles. In this system, docetaxel and NH₄HCO₃ were loaded in liposomes. The resulting liposomes were subsequently coated with gold that produce heat under 808 nm laser irradiation to induce nano-particles’ decomposition. through thermal activation, the NH₄HCO₃ containing thermosensitive liposomes generate CO₂ bubbles and the acidic environment at the tumor region that promote bubbles generation. The thermosensitive liposomes were then functionalized with nucleolin and Mucin1 peptide aptamers, the AS1411 G4 and S2.2 sequences, respectively, for a specific internalization by MCF-7 cells. Copyright (2017) Wiley. Used with permission from Zhao, F.; Zhou, J.; Su, X.; Wang, Y.; Yan, X.; Jia, S.; Du, B. A Smart Responsive Dual Aptamers-Targeted Bubble-Generating Nano-system for Cancer Triplex Therapy and Ultrasound Imaging. Small. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. [110].