Facile fabrication of polydopamine nanotubes for combined chemo-photothermal therapy

density irradiation at 808 nm wavelength. Analysis indicated that the prepared tubes had slightly higher photothermal conversion efficiency than PDA nanospheres. An antitumor drug, doxorubicin, was used as a model to test the potential for drug delivery of the organic nanotubes. The nanotubes exhibited higher loading capacities than PDA nanospheres and were capable of controlled release at pHs relevant to human serum and tumors (pH 7.4 and 5.0 respectively). Drug release rates varied as a function of system pH and application of near infrared irradiation. Release of doxorubicin was enhanced at a pH of 5.0, and retarded at a pH of 7.4. Irradiation with 808 nm wavelength light also increased the release of doxorubicin.