Targeted tumour theranostics in mice via carbon quantum dots structurally mimicking large amino acids.

Abstract

Strategies for selectively imaging and delivering drugs to tumours typically leverage differentially upregulated surface molecules on cancer cells. Here, we show that intravenously injected carbon quantum dots, functionalized with multiple paired α-carboxyl and amino groups that bind to the large neutral amino acid transporter 1 (which is expressed in most tumours), selectively accumulate in human tumour xenografts in mice and in an orthotopic mouse model of human glioma. The functionalized quantum dots, which structurally mimic large amino acids and can be loaded with aromatic drugs through π-π stacking interactions, enabled-in the absence of detectable toxicity-near-infrared fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging of the tumours and a reduction in tumour burden after the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to the tumours. The versatility of functionalization and high tumour selectivity of the quantum dots make them broadly suitable for tumour-specific imaging and drug delivery.

• Authors: Shuhua Li, Wen Su, Hao Wu, Ting Yuan, Chang Yuan, Jun Liu, Gang Deng, Xingchun Gao, Zeming Chen, Youmei Bao, Fanglong Yuan, Shixin Zhou, Hongwei Tan, Yunchao Li, Xiaohong Li, Louzhen Fan, Jia Zhu, Ann T Chen, Fuyao Liu, Yu Zhou, Miao Li, Xingchen Zhai, Jiangbing Zhou
• Journal: Nature biomedical engineering (Nat Biomed Eng) Vol. 4 Issue 7 Pg. 704-716 (07 2020) ISSN: 2157-846X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32231314 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Amino Acids
• Carbon

Topics

• Amino Acids (chemistry)
• Animals
• Biomedical Engineering
• Brain Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
• Carbon (chemistry)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Drug Delivery Systems (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Nude
• Quantum Dots (chemistry)
• Theranostic Nanomedicine (methods)