Using SV119-gold nanocage conjugates to eradicate cancer stem cells through a combination of photothermal and chemo therapies.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be responsible for the long-term growth of a tumor, as well as its metastasis and recurrence after conventional therapies. Here, it is demonstrated that the sigma-2 receptor is overexpressed on the surface of breast CSCs, and thus could serve as a biomarker for the purpose of targeting. Breast CSCs are targeted with Au nanocages (AuNCs) by functionalizing their surfaces with SV119, a synthetic small molecule capable of binding to the sigma-2 receptor with high specificity. The interiors of the AuNCs could also be loaded with an anticancer drug to be selectively delivered to breast CSCs and released in a controllable fashion. The results demonstrate that the SV119-AuNC conjugate can serve as a new platform to carry out photothermal and chemo therapies simultaneously, eradicating breast CSCs more effectively through a synergetic effect.