Graphene Oxide Theranostic Effect: Conjugation of Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies Based on an in vivo Demonstration

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is responsible, where about 1 in 6 deaths in the world. Therefore, there is a need to develop effective antitumor agents that are targeted only to the specific site of the tumor to improve the efficiency of cancer diagnosis and treatment and, consequently, limit the unwanted systemic side effects currently obtained by the use of chemotherapeutic agents. In this context, due to its unique physical and chemical properties of graphene oxide (GO), it has attracted interest in biomedicine for cancer therapy. Methods: In this study, we report the in vivo application of nanocomposites based on Graphene Oxide (nc-GO) with surface modified with PEG-folic acid, Rhodamine B and Indocyanine Green. In addition to displaying red fluorescence spectra Rhodamine B as the fluorescent label), in vivo experiments were performed using nc-GO to apply Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Photothermal Therapy (PTT) in the treatment of Ehrlich tumors in mice using NIR light (808 nm 1.8 W/cm2). Results: This study based on fluorescence images was performed in the tumor in order to obtain the highest concentration of nc-GO in the tumor as a function of time (time after intraperitoneal injection). The time obtained was used for the efficient treatment of the tumor by PDT/PTT. Discussion: The current study shows an example of successful using nc-GO nanocomposites as a theranostic nanomedicine to perform simultaneously in vivo fluorescence diagnostic as well as combined PDT-PTT effects for cancer treatments.

Carbon-Based Materials in Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapies Applied to Tumor Destruction

“…Moreover, stable and the reaching of high heat levels were proved (~79 • C) in comparison to the individual components (~33 • C) [71]. Romero et al (2021) functionalized the GO surface modified with PEG-folic acid, rhodamine B, and indocyanine green to treat Ehrlich tumors in mice by in vivo experiments using PDT and PTT with an NIR light of 808 nm 1.8 W/cm 2 . Based on fluorescence images of the tumor, the highest concentration of GO as a function of the time after intraperitoneal injection was determined [72].…”

“…Compared to PDT or PTT alone, the combined phototherapy managed to damage the tumor and diminish the tumor without return [132]. Romero et al (2021) designed theranostic nanocomposites based on GO with a surface modification of PEG-folic acid, rhodamine B, and indocyanine green (GO+RhodB, GO+PEGFA+RhodB, and GO+PEGFA+ICG). In addition to displaying red fluorescence spectra rhodamine B (as the fluorescent label), in vivo experiments were performed using GO to apply PDT and PTT in the treatment of Ehrlich tumors in mice using NIR light.…”

Carbon-Based Materials in Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapies Applied to Tumor Destruction

“…Besides, stable and high heat reaching were proved (~79°C) in comparison to the individual components (~33°C) [69]. Romero et al (2021) functionalized GO surface modified with PEG-folic acid, rhodamine B, and indocyanine green to treat Ehrlich tumors in mice by in vivo experiments using PDT and PTT with a NIR light of 808 nm 1.8 W/cm 2 . Based on fluorescence images of the tumor, the highest concentration of GO as a function of the time after intraperitoneal injection was determined [70].…”

Carbon-Based Materials in Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapies Applied to Tumor Destruction

“…Romero et al (2021) functionalized GO surface modified with PEG-folic acid, rhodamine B, and indocyanine green to treat Ehrlich tumors in mice by in vivo experiments using PDT and PTT with a NIR light of 808 nm 1.8 W/cm 2 . Based on fluorescence images of the tumor, the highest concentration of GO as a function of the time after intraperitoneal injection was determined [72].…”

“…Tumor volume control showed that the GO+PEGFA+ICG group has the lower "R factor" ((V-Vo/Vo) normalized by day´s number of follow-up ) related to only the indocyanine group. Compared to PDT (only indocyanine PS) and PTT alone (only GO), the theranostic therapy diminish tumor without recurrence (see Figure 16) [72]. The PDT effect based on photoexcitation was studied, C-DOTs-PpIX showed more efficient cell killing ability than free PpIX as the cell viability of C-DOTs-PpIX group was much lower than that of the free PpIX group [133].…”