Multifunctional nanoparticle systems and methods for cancer diagnosis and combination therapy

A method of diagnosing and/or treating a cancer, the method comprising:

• administering to a patient in need thereof a population of core-shell nanoparticles, the core-shell nanoparticles comprising:
• a core component;
• a shell component encapsulating the core component;
• one or more radiosensitizers disposed in the core component;
• and
• one or more chemotherapeutic agents disposed in the shell component,
• wherein the core component is formed from one or more biodegradable polymers;
• and
• wherein the shell component is formed from one or more stimuli responsive polymers that undergo a reversible phase transition in response to an external stimulus;
• exposing the core-shell nanoparticles to the external stimulus,
• releasing a portion of the chemotherapeutic agents in a burst release from the shell component in response to the exposure to the external stimulus;
• and
• releasing a portion of the radiosensitizers in a sustained release from the core component in response to the exposure to the external stimulus,
• wherein the composition is administered to the patient as an aerosol or an inhalant via a nebulizer and wherein the cancer is lung cancer.