Issue 19, 2017

Graphene quantum dot-based theranostic agents for active targeting of breast cancer

Abstract

A novel graphene quantum dot (GQD)-based nanocarrier labeled with Herceptin (HER) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was developed as a promising theranostic candidate for the treatment of breast cancer. Each component of this nanocarrier plays a critical role in providing multiple functions to achieve enhanced anticancer activities. HER provides active targeting to HER2-overexpressed breast cancer to enhance accumulation in the cancer cells. β-CD provides a site for loading of a hydrophobic anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), via “host–guest” chemistry. The nanocarriers also provide diagnostic effects due to the blue-color emission of the GQDs. In response to the acidic environment of cancer cells, the GQD-complex degraded rapidly and the DOX was released in a controlled manner to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells. This multi-functional drug delivery system leads to a synergistically enhanced anticancer strategy which provides treatment and diagnosis. The intracellular trafficking results, along with cell viability and confocal laser scanning microscopy, suggest that the GQD-complex offers a viable strategy for HER2-overexpressed breast cancer-targeting drug delivery applications.

Graphical abstract: Graphene quantum dot-based theranostic agents for active targeting of breast cancer

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 okt 2016
Accepted
17 jan 2017
First published
14 feb 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2017,7, 11420-11427

Graphene quantum dot-based theranostic agents for active targeting of breast cancer

N. R. Ko, M. Nafiujjaman, J. S. Lee, H.-N. Lim, Y.-k. Lee and I. K. Kwon, RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 11420 DOI: 10.1039/C6RA25949A

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