Mixed Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles and Core–Shell Systems, Application to in Vitro Two-Photon Imaging, Therapy, and Drug Delivery

In this work, we describe the synthesis of new Mixed Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles (MPMO NPs), combining the co-condensation of a tetra-trialkoxysilylated two-photon photosensitizer with bis-(triethoxysilyl)phenylene or ethylene. Novel gold core-MPMO shell systems are also described. The MPMO NPs are analyzed and characterized by multiple techniques, and are very efficient for anti-cancer drug delivery combined with two-photon therapy in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, leading down to 76% cancer cell death. MPMO NPs are thus very promising for nanomedicine applications.