Near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanomaterials have emerged as powerful tools for cancer therapy, yet stable and biocompatible delivery of NIR-II agents remains a major challenge. In this work, we develop NIR-I/II-responsive niosomes co-encapsulating plasmonic gold nanorods (GNRs) and the NIR-II dye, IR1061, forming a multifunctional nanoplatform for effective phototherapeutic ablation of cancer cells. The niosomal system provides robust encapsulation, improved dispersion stability, and biocompatibility for both photoactive components. Upon NIR-I/II laser irradiation, the nanoplatform exhibits strong photothermal heating and substantial reactive oxygen species generation due to the synergistic integration of plasmonic GNRs and dye-mediated effects. In vitro evaluations demonstrate efficient cellular uptake, potent photoinduced cytotoxicity, and minimal dark toxicity. The integration of photothermal and photodynamic mechanisms results in markedly enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared with individual agents. This study highlights the potential of niosomes as versatile and efficient nanocarriers for dual NIR-window phototherapy, offering a promising route for precise and minimally invasive cancer treatment.
Srivastava et al. (Mon,) studied this question.