Nanoconjugates of graphene oxide derivatives and meso-tetraphenylporphyrin: a new avenue for anticancer photodynamic therapies – Cell-on-a-Chip analysis

Abstract

In this study, the possibility of using four different GO derivatives as nanocarriers for meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) (GO_TPP) was evaluated. The research was carried out with the innovative, well-reproducing tumor environment of 2D and 3D MCF-7/HMF co-cultures in a single microfluidic Cell-on-a-Chip system. A significant accumulation of TPP in cancer cells for the tested GO_TPP nanoconjugates was achieved. This resulted in a decrease of MCF-7/HMF cell viability cultured as 2D and 3D models. Our research confirmed that the driving force of a decrease of MCF-7/HMF cell viability after PDT procedures with GO_TPP was associated with the efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was proved that the tested conjugates did not show any cytotoxic effect on MCF-7/HMF co-cultures without irradiation. Therefore, the herein presented nanoconjugates can be treated as non-toxic materials for humans that after activation can be applied as highly efficient probes for PDT.