Interfacial engineering of hollow reduced graphene oxide-molybdenum disulfide nanosphere for surface-regulated targeted drug release and photothermal conversion

One promising approach to enhance cancer treatment is the development of multifunctional nanoplatforms that combine external stimuli-responsive therapy with targeted drug delivery. In this work, we present a hybrid hollow sphere nanostructure designed for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy that is composed of reduced graphene oxide‑molybdenum disulfide (rGO-MoS₂ HSs) functionalized with folic acid (rGO-MoS₂-PEG-FA). The rGO-MoS₂ HSs exhibit strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption and effective photothermal conversion, and PEGylation ensures superior biocompatibility and colloidal stability. Folic acid conjugation facilitates increased cellular uptake by cancer cells that overexpress the folate receptor, thereby achieving active targeting. In vitro analyses demonstrate the rGO-MoS₂-PEG-FA HSs platform's favorable hemocompatibility and minimal intrinsic cytotoxicity. Additionally, through a synergistic chemo-photothermal mechanism, the combination of the effects of chemotherapeutic drug loading and NIR irradiation led to significant cancer cell apoptosis, effective suppression of cell migration, and significantly improved therapeutic efficacy. For targeted and synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy, the rGO-MoS₂-PEG-FA HSs generally provide a promising and versatile method, highlighting their potential for future nanomedicine.