Aim: To produce pH-responsive bionic high photothermal conversion nanoparticles actively targeting tumors for sensitizing photothermal therapy (PTT).
Materials and Methods: The bionic nanoparticles (ICG-PEI@HM NPs) were prepared by electrostatic adsorption of indocyanine green (ICG) coupled to polyethyleneimine (PEI) and modified with tumor cell membranes. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of ICG-PEI@HM-mediated PTT.
Results: The intelligent responsiveness of ICG-PEI@HM to pH promoted the accumulation of ICG and enhanced the PTT performance of ICG-PEI@HM NPs. Compared with free ICG, NPs exhibited great photothermal stability, cellular uptake, and active tumor targeting for PTT.
Conclusion: ICG-PEI@HM NPs can enhance the efficacy of PTT and can be used as a new strategy for the construction of photothermal agents.

Keywords: photothermal therapy, pH-responsive, tumor membrane, active targeting, nanoparticle