Characterization of tumor-targeting Ag₂S quantum dots for cancer imaging and therapy in vivo

Abstract

Nanomedicine platforms that have the potential to simultaneously provide the function of molecular imaging and therapeutic treatment in one system are beneficial to address the challenges of cancer heterogeneity and adaptive resistance. In this study, Cyclic RGD peptide (cRGD), a less-expensive active tumor targeting tri-peptide, and doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, were covalently attached to Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) to form the nano-conjugates Ag2S-DOX-cRGD. The optical characterization of Ag2S-DOX-cRGD manifested the maintenance of QDs fluorescence, which suggested the potential of Ag2S for monitoring intracellular and systemic drug distribution. The low biotoxicity of Ag2S QDs indicated that they are promisingly safe nanoparticles for bio-applications. Furthermore, the selective imaging and favorable tumor inhibition of the nanoconjugates were demonstrated at both cell and animal levels. These results indicated a promising future for the utilization of Ag2S QDs as a kind of multi-functional nano platform to achieve imaging-visible nano-therapeutics.

Quantum Dot‐Based Nanotools for Bioimaging, Diagnostics, and Drug Delivery

“…Such as ystem was engineered by attaching RGD peptidea nd the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin (Dox) to the surface of NIR-emitting QDs for simultaneous imaging andt reatment. [94] Salva et al suggested as ystem consisting of green-emitting QDs modified with at umortargetingm oiety and Dox attached to the QD surfaceb yapHsensitivehydrazone bond. [95] Because the absorbance spectrum of Dox overlaps the emissions pectrum of QDs (emission maximum at 490 nm), QD fluorescencei sq uenched by FRET between Dox and QDs.…”

Proniosomes derived niosomes: recent advancements in drug delivery and targeting

“…Despite, due to many problems associated with drugs administered through oral route, such as low stability in gastrointestinal tract, pre-systemic degradation of drugs by acidic or enzymatic action, and low permeability through intestinal epithelium, many drugs are administered parenterally to augment their bioavailability (Banerjee & Onyuksel, 2012). Therefore, different nanocarriers are employed to enhance the drug absorption through oral route, such as liposomes (Caddeo et al, 2017), niosomes (Khan et al, 2016), lipid nanoparticles (Kraft et al, 2014), micelles , gold nanoparticles (Chen et al, 2014a), and quantum dots (Chen et al, 2014b). Proniosomes have been extensively investigated as potential oral drug delivery system.…”

Metallic Nanoparticles, Toxicity Issues and Applications in Medicine

“…Very sensitive and multicolor fluorescence imaging of cancer cells due to targeted QDs probes have raised the opportunities for multiplexed imaging of molecular targets under in vivo conditions (Gao et al 2004). Ag 2 S QDs have been prepared by the reaction of AgNO 3 and Na 2 S (Chen et al 2014a). They have covalently conjugated tumour-targeting RGD tripeptide and anti-cancer drug, DOX to form Ag 2 S-DOX-cRGD.…”