An efficient FRET based theranostic nanoprobe for hyaluronidase detection and cancer therapy in vitro

Although various strategies have been developed in cancer theranostics, it's still a great challenge to achieve a sensitive diagnosis and specific treatment of cancer. Herein, a theranostic nanoprobe (PDAD@F68-HA-DOX) has been successfully fabricated through self-assembly. Under the stimulus of hyaluronidase (HAase), ratiometric fluorescent feedbacks would be received through this FRET-based nanoprobe, exhibiting predominant selectivity and sensitivity. Compared with other analytical approaches, this FRET-based probe with suitable detection limit and linear range could be favorable for the determination of target enzyme. Moreover, it is also able to differentiate tumor cells from normal cells by labeling them with different fluorescence colors. More importantly, this theranostic system could be activated to accomplish specific release of chemotherapeutic drug in lesion areas, resulting in discriminative cytotoxicity to tumor and normal cells. Apparently, this versatile nanoprobe has exhibited great potentials in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer.