Ruthenium nitrosyl functionalized graphene quantum dots as an efficient nanoplatform for NIR-light-controlled and mitochondria-targeted delivery of nitric oxide combined with photothermal therapy.

A mitochondria-targeting nanoplatform for near-infrared-light-controlled release of nitric oxide accompanied by photothermal therapy was developed, which consists of ruthenium nitrosyl functionalized N-doped graphene quantum dots and a triphenylphosphonium moiety. The nanoplatform demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy upon irradiation with 808 nm light.