The conjugation of
tetraphenylethylene (TPE) with podophyllotoxin, N-desacetylthiocolchicine, and cabazitaxel through
a sebacic acid linker led to the formation of fluorescent nanoparticles.
Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy
were used for the identification and characterization of the fluorescent
nanoparticles. The biological evaluation was determined in three human
ovarian (KURAMOCHI, OVCAR3, OVSAHO) and three human breast (MCF7,
SKBR 3, and MDA-MB231) cancer cell lines. In the case of cabazitaxel,
the nanoparticles maintained the activity of the parent drug, at the
low nanomolar range, while exhibiting high blue fluorescence. The
internalization of the fluorescent NPs into cells was detected using
immunofluorescence assay.