A Targeted Nanoprobe Based on Carbon Nanotubes-Natural Biopolymer Chitosan Composites

Abstract

A novel targeting theranostic nanoprobe based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-natural biopolymer chitosan composites was developed for cancer cell targeting imaging and fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy. First, chitosan was respectively conjugated with a tumor-homing molecule folic acid, or a photosensitizing drug pyropheophorbide a using a water-soluble carbodiimide coupling chemistry. Chitosan was fluorescently labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate via the covalently linkage of the isothiocyanate group with the amino group. Second, SWCNTs were sonicated in the functional chitosan aqueous solution for 6 h at room temperature in order to obtain the nanoprobe (PPa/FITC-SWCNT-FA). The as-prepared nanoprobe has been characterized with transmission electron microscope, confocal microscopy, and cell cytotoxicity tests. Chitosan was decorated onto SWCNTs resulting in the water-dispersible PPa/FITC-SWCNT-FA, and can be selectively transported inside folate receptor-positive tumor cell with good targeting imaging. PPa/FITC-SWCNT-FA exhibited low dark toxicity about 7%–13%, and high phototoxicity about 60%–74% against HeLa cells upon a 635 nm laser irradiation, indicating satisfying biocompatibility and antitumor activity. These results suggest the study could offer a feasible alternative to presently available nanoparticle-based theranostic agents.

Targeted photodynamic therapy treatment of in vitro A375 metastatic melanoma cells

“…The final PS conjugate reported a PDI purity value of 0.306, signifying it was monodisperse and mostly consisted of single sized particles. The ZP value of the final PS drug conjugate was found to be 28.6 ± 3.73 mV, proposing that it was moderately stable with a slightly positively charge, hinting at the fact that it should remain stable within an in vivo environment, as well as be passively be taken up and retained within tumorous cells more selectively [30, 31].…”

Intratumoral Delivery of Doxorubicin on Folate-Conjugated Graphene Oxide by In-Situ Forming Thermo-Sensitive Hydrogel for Breast Cancer Therapy

“…Folic acid is transported into healthy cells or cancer cells through their folate receptors on cell surface. As cancer cells require more FA for maintaining cell differentiation and proliferation, there are over-expressed folate receptors on the cell membrane of cancer cells, compared with healthy and/or normal cells [ 15 ]. Thus, modifying an anticancer drug nano-carrier, such as GO, with FA could enhance its ability to be recognized and its intracellular uptake efficiency by cancer cells through ligand-mediated targeting drug delivery [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Biomedical and Pharmacological Uses of Fluorescein Isothiocyanate Chitosan‐Based Nanocarriers

“…[166] Unfortunately, the major problem with PDT is that most of the photosensitizers in clinical use are hydrophobic inducing self-aggregation in physiological media. [167] To increase the water solubility and to improve the tumor accumulation of photosensitizers, several NCs based on FITC@Ch have been developed. [168] In the attempt to generate tumor-targeting FITC@ChNPs for PDT, Lee et al [169] employed the water-soluble glycol chitosan (GCh), self-assembled with hydrophobic molecules such as 5β-cholanic acid.…”

“…[ 166 ] Unfortunately, the major problem with PDT is that most of the photosensitizers in clinical use are hydrophobic inducing self‐aggregation in physiological media. [ 167 ] To increase the water solubility and to improve the tumor accumulation of photosensitizers, several NCs based on FITC@Ch have been developed. [ 168 ]…”

“…Wu and Zhao [ 167 ] used polyethylene‐glycol‐modified single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for the transport of a photosensitizer, pyropheophorbide a (Pppa), to the target site. [ 175 ] To increase the targeting ability of SWCNTs, their surface was modified with chitosan, which provided increased water solubility of the SWCNTs and allowed the binding of FA, a tumor‐homing molecule.…”