LAUSR

The development of advanced gene/drug codelivery carriers with stimuli-responsive release manner for complementary cancer therapy is desirable. In this study, novel disulfide-bridged and doxorubicin (DOX)-embedded degradable silica nanoparticles (DS-DOX) with unique self-destruction features are synthesized by a facile one-pot method. In order to realize codelivery of genes and drugs, the surface of DS-DOX nanoparticles is readily functionalized with the assembled polycation (CD-PGEA), comprising one β-cyclodextrin core and two ethanolamine-functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate) arms, to achieve DS-DOX-PGEA. The redox-responsive self-destruction behavior of DS-DOX imparts DS-DOX-PGEA with a better ability to release anticancer drug DOX, while the low-toxic hydroxyl-rich CD-PGEA brushes can efficiently deliver genes for cancer treatment. Very interestingly, the degradation process of DS-DOX starts from the outside, while the destruction of the degradable silica (DS) nanoparticles without DOX begins from the center of the nanoparticles. The embedded DOX inside the DS-DOX nanoparticles can significantly influence the structures and facilitate the cellular uptake and the subsequent gene transfection. The as-developed DS-DOX-PGEA nanostructure with coordinating biodegradability, stimuli-responsiveness, and controlled release manner might be desirable gene/drug codelivery carriers for clinical cancer treatment.