Polyclonal antibody/carbon nanotube (CNT) conjugates have been prepared through a di-imide activated amidation process using partially oxidized CNTs. The antibody/nanotube conjugate was used as a microwave absorber with selective affinity for the cell receptor CD44, overexpressed on the surface of PC3 prostate cancer cells. Unlike the most common protocols involving thermic ablation by infrared radiation, microwaves offer a significant higher penetration depth, with instant localized heating when combined with CNTs. The heating rates obtained when multi-walled CNT suspensions in buffer are exposed to microwaves is reported. The antibody/nanotube conjugates were tested in a series of in vitro experiments in which the microwave power and the exposure time were consistently varied. After MTS assays, optimized conditions have been established for the thermal ablation of PC3 cells, while healthy cells remained unharmed. The trends observed in vitro were validated in vivo, using zebrafish embryos as an animal model.
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