Using SV119-Gold Nanocage Conjugates to Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells Through a Combination of Photothermal and Chemo Therapies

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be responsible for the long‐term growth of a tumor, as well as its metastasis and recurrence after conventional therapies. Here, it is demonstrated that the sigma‐2 receptor is overexpressed on the surface of breast CSCs, and thus could serve as a biomarker for the purpose of targeting. Breast CSCs are targeted with Au nanocages (AuNCs) by functionalizing their surfaces with SV119, a synthetic small molecule capable of binding to the sigma‐2 receptor with high specificity. The interiors of the AuNCs could also be loaded with an anticancer drug to be selectively delivered to breast CSCs and released in a controllable fashion. The results demonstrate that the SV119‐AuNC conjugate can serve as a new platform to carry out photothermal and chemo therapies simultaneously, eradicating breast CSCs more effectively through a synergetic effect. Cancer stem cells: A new platform is developed to target breast cancer stem cells by functionalizing the surface of Au nanocages with SV119. The interiors of the nanocages could also be loaded with an anticancer drug to achieve a synergetic effect in eradicating cancer stem cells through a combination of photothermal and chemo therapies.