Engineered Sericin-Tagged Layered Double Hydroxides for Combined Delivery of Pemetrexed and ZnO Quantum Dots as Biocompatible Cancer Nanotheranostics

Abstract

Aim: Despite extensive progress in the field of cancer nanotheranostics, clinical development of biocompatible theranostic nanomedicine remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we engineered biocompatible silk-sericin-tagged inorganic nanohybrids for efficient treatment and imaging of cancer cells. The developed nanocarriers are anticipated to overcome the premature release of the chemotherapeutic drug pemetrexed (PMX), enhance the colloidal stability of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and maintain the luminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots (QDs). Materials and Methods: PMX-intercalated LDHs were modified with sericin and coupled to ZnO QDs for therapy and imaging of breast cancer cells. Results: The optimized nanomedicine demonstrated a sustained release profile of PMX, and high cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells compared to free PMX. In addition, high cellular uptake of the engineered nanocarriers into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was accomplished. Conclusions: Conclusively, the LDH-sericin nanohybrids loaded with PMX and conjugated to ZnO QDs offered a promising cancer theranostic nanomedicine.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer properties of pH‐responsive carvacrol‐zinc oxide quantum dots on breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231)

“…pH‐sensitive ZnO QDs have shown potential for drug delivery applications, especially in targeting cancer cells. Previous reports suggested that drug‐loaded ZnO QDs nanoformulation efficiently delivers the drug and mediates the apoptosis against different cancers by using its acidic pH 36–38 . In previous research, it was stated that ZnO QDs were observed at the 360 nm UV spectral peak 39 .…”

“…The inhibitory concentration (IC 50 and IC 90 ) of CVC-ZnO QDs was measured to be 20.47 ± 0.54 µg/mL and 78.28 ± 0.67 µg/mL, cancers by using its acidic pH. [36][37][38] In previous research, it was stated that ZnO QDs were observed at the 360 nm UV spectral peak. 39 The UV spectrum of the CVC-ZnO QDs obtained in this investigation was in perfect accord with it.…”

Arginine and Histidine-modified Layered Double Hydroxides Facilitate Transgene Expression in Cancer Cells in Vitro

“…The results of this study suggest that although the presence of the amino acids did not significantly improve transfection efficiency compared to non-functionalized LDHs, histidine functionalization of the gene delivery vehicle resulted in better transfection than arginine functionalization. Overall, it has been proposed that the ease of loading, anionic exchangeability, and biocompatibility have opened up the avenue for using LDHs as delivery agents in cancer therapy [67].…”

Quantum Dots as a Potential Multifunctional Material for the Enhancement of Clinical Diagnosis Strategies and Cancer Treatments

“…QDs, due to their small particle size, good dispersibility, and excellent biocompatibility, are widely used as drug carrier materials in tumor treatment. It has been reported that QDs can promote the release of various drugs, such as doxorubicin (Figure 6) [103][104][105][106][107][108], paclitaxel [109,110], pemetrexed [111], 5-fluorouracil [112], etc. The use of a single QD carrier in vivo is desirable, as carriers of a moderate size (approximately 10 to 20 nm in diameter) can reduce the reticuloendothelial system uptake and renal clearance rate of drugs, thereby increasing the circulation time in the blood and improving the delivery efficiency [113].…”

“…Non-functionalized modified QDs Chemotherapy QDs carry doxorubicin [103][104][105][106][107][108] Breast cancer Lung cancer Cervical cancer Hepatocarcinoma Glioblastoma QDs carry paclitaxel [109,110] Hepatocarcinoma Prostate cancer QDs carry pemetrexed [111] Breast cancer QDs carry 5-fluorouracil [112] Lung cancer PTT/PDT CdSe/ZnS QDs [120] Pancreatic cancer MoSe2 NDs [121] Cervical cancer Cu-Sec QDs [122] Hepatocarcinoma DPP-CTS-CQDs [124] Hepatocarcinoma CNQD-CN [127] Cervical cancer…”