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Here, we report a non-invasive strategy for isolating cancer cells by autonomously propelled carbon nanotube (CNT) microrockets. H2O2-driven oxygen (O2) bubble-propelled microrockets were synthesized using CNT and Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the inner surface and covalently conjugating transferrin on the outer surface. Results show that self-propellant microrockets can specifically capture cancer cells.

We report calcium phosphate (CaP) nanocapsule crowned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT-GSH-G4-CaP) as a novel platform for intracellular delivery of an anticancer drug. As a proof-ofconcept, CNT-GSH-G4-CaP demonstrates release of anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) within intracellular lysosomes from the interior cavity of CNT upon pH triggered CaP dissolution. Importantly, we found that the CNT with a CaP nanolid can efficiently prevent untimely drug release at physiological pH but promotes DOX release at increased acidic milieu as observed in subcellular compartments such as lysosomes (B5.0). This ''zero premature release'' characteristic is of clinical significance in delivering cytotoxic drugs, by reducing systemic toxicity and thus beneficial for the effective anticancer treatment. We envision that this pH triggered CaP crowned CNT nanosystem would lead to a new generation of self-regulated platforms for intracellular delivery of a variety of anticancer drugs.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood account genetic information for cancer diagnosis and overall disease monitoring. Analysis of “liquid biopsy” holds immense promise as it may lead to new approaches for cancer treatment. The study reports effective and continuous flow microchannel system for isolating CTCs using transferrin conjugated 3D matrix synthesized by crosslinking polyethylene glycol‐Fe3O4 nanostructures for rapid and efficient capturing of CTCs. The platform provides option of using multiple microchannel units in series that can influence higher cell‐capture efficiency due to increasing cell‐substrate contact frequency. CTCs are captured with high efficiency even at low concentration of target cells (~90% at 25 cells per mL blood). Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the cell‐capture performance is influenced by topographic interactions between nanostructure based matrix and cancer cells of interest. In addition, this study demonstrates the “proof of concept” using 3D microchannel system having capacity of simultaneously capturing and permanently eliminating CTCs from peripheral blood samples. Further, the study evaluates clinical samples of colon and breast cancer patients for rapid isolation of CTCs. Conclusively, the present platform demonstrates inordinate capacity for cancer cell sorting, biological studies of CTCs, and cancer metastasis, potentially benefiting the real time liquid biopsy and early prognosis of cancer.

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Micro and nanobots (MNBs) are unprecedented in their ability to be chemically tuned for autonomous tasks with enhanced targeting and functionality while maintaining their mobility. Myriad chemical modifications involving a...