Photo-controlled targeted intracellular delivery of both nitric oxide and singlet oxygen using a fluorescence-trackable ruthenium nitrosyl functional nanoplatform.

A multifunctional nitric oxide (NO) delivery nanoplatform that combines functionalities of target directing, fluorescence tracking, and photo-controlled target attacking was developed. The {Ru-NO@TiO2 NPs} nanoplatform selectively targeted folate-receptor over-expressed cancer cells while being simultaneously traced based on its inherent fluorescence. Intracellular localized NO and singlet oxygen were produced on demand by controlled visible light illumination, producing a synergistic cytotoxic effect to cancer cells.