Tryptophan-sorbitol based carbon quantum dots for theranostics against hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background Despite novel advances in screening, targeting and immunotherapies, early diagnosis and satisfactory treatments against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain formidable challenges. Given the unique advantages, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) become a smart theranostic nanomaterial for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Results In this work, a type of bio-friendly CQDs, trichrome-tryptophan-sorbitol CQDs (TC-WS-CQDs), is synthesized from natural biocompatible tryptophan via the one-pot hydrothermal method. Compared with normal hepatocytes, a much stronger green fluorescence is detected in HCC cells, indicating the ability of TC-WS-CQDs to target HCC cells. Furthermore, green-emitting TC-WS-CQDs generate large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to autophagy of HCC cells. Additionally, the green-emitting TC-WS-CQDs perform significant tumor inhibition by inducing autophagy via p53-AMPK pathway in vitro and in vivo studies with almost no systemic toxicity. Conclusions The results may highlight a promising anticancer nanotheranostic strategy with integration of diagnosis, targeting, and therapy. Graphical Abstract

Carbon Dots: Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Therapy

“…Today, QDs and CDs are frequently used as sensors, probes, and imaging devices [ 101 , 102 ]. Bioconjugation of QDs is also widely used for drug delivery and treatment of devastating diseases, such as cancer [ 103 ].…”

Research progress in the synthesis and biological application of quantum dots

“…Wang et al synthesized CQDs with tricolor (red, green, and blue) emission from tryptophan and sorbitol using a hydrothermal method for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. 227 Compared with normal L02 cells, the green fluorescence of the human hepatoma cell line Huh7 was stronger, indicating the tumor targeting ability of TC-WS-CQDS. Green luminescent TC-WS-CQDs inhibit cancer cells by inducing the p53-AMPK pathway to produce reactive oxygen to activate autophagy.…”

Recent trends in macromolecule-conjugated hybrid quantum dots for cancer theranostic applications

“…6(A-D)), and TC-WS-CQDs were found to be non-cytotoxic in normal cells. 87 Furthermore, the cytotoxic efficiency and mechanism of ZnO-QDs were investigated in HepG2 hepatocellular cancer cells. 89 ZnO-QDs were shown to reduce the proliferation of HepG2 cells through signicant upregulation of critical genes involved in apoptosis, including Bax, P53, and Caspase-3, with the concurrent downregulation of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic gene.…”