Purpose: A novel CYPA-targeted, SiO₂ encapsulated Au star@AgAu yolk-shell nanostructure (YSNS) was synthesized and used for ovarian cancer early diagnosis and therapy.
Methods: Diverse spectroscopic and microscopic methods were utilized to investigate the pattern of the yolk-shell nanostructure. In addition, in vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out.
Results: It can be found that the ratio of HAuCl₄ and AgNO₃ played a critical role in the constitution of the yolk-shell nanostructure. The as-prepared yolk-shell nanostructure showed excellent SERS performance, which could be utilized as SERS substrate for specific sensitivity analysis of ovarian cancer markers cyclophilin A (CYPA) with detectable limit of 7.76*10^{− 10} μg/mL. In addition, the as-prepared yolk-shell nanostructure possessed outstanding photothermal performance, which could be used as photothermal agent for ovarian cancer therapy. Experiments in vitro and in vivo proved that the as-prepared yolk-shell nanostructures are ideal candidate for early diagnosis and therapy for ovarian cancer in one platform.
Conclusion: This work holds promise to offer a new method for the detection and therapy of ovarian cancer in the early stage.
Keywords: yolk-shell nanostructure, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, early diagnosis, cancer targeted therapy