Amine-functionalized graphene quantum dots–hyaluronic acid nanocomposite as a high-resolution cancer cell bioimaging and biosensing system

A review on synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of graphene quantum dots (GQDs)

“…Additionally, enhanced targeting can be achieved by coupling GQDs with ligands that selectively recognize specific receptors overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. Notably, delivery systems that decorated GQDs with FA for targeting the folate receptor on cancer cells [248,249], or conjugated GQDs with hyaluronic acid (HA) to recognize the CD44 receptor on cancer cells [250,251], have been widely reported (figure 12(B)). Lo et al attached antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of colon cancer cells to GQDs-PEI, enabling effective targeted delivery of DOX and genes to colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo [252].…”

“…Coupled with mRNA and pDNA achieving higher efficiency in transfecting cancer cells [187] D-GQDs Enhanced DOX and siRNA loading within sEVs [235] GQDs@γ-CD@PEGMA Achieving higher pH-dependent DOX release efficiency [240] CS-GQDs@CMC Achieving controlled SS release under different pH conditions [241] GQDs-Fe 3 O 4 -FA Targeted delivery of Cur to cancer cells and pH-dependent sustained release [236] GQDs@MSNs Drug release based on the redox reaction triggered by glutathione [242] (Continued.) CS-GQDs Drug release through lysozyme-stimulated response [245] Drug targeting systems GQDs/DTX within protein/RBC membrane Facilitating accumulation in the tumors by enhanced EPR effect [247] GQDs-FA or GQDs-HA Targeting the folate receptor or CD44 receptor on cancer cells [248][249][250][251] GQDs-PEI or GQDs-GE11 Targeting EGFR on colon cancer or CNE-2 cells and tumors [252,253] GQDs-APTES Nucleus targeting system [254] α-carboxyl and amino group functionalized GQDs Targeting LAT1 both enabling BBB penetration and delivering TPTC to brain tumors [233] Therapeutics Photodynamic therapy GQDs from polythiophene Generated high levels of 1 O 2 under white light irradiation for removing tumors [260] F-GQDs Exhibiting higher 1 O 2 efficiency than regular GQDs [261] GQDs-BDPA Enhanced cancer cell apoptosis by inducing high oxidative stress [263] GQDs-porphyrin Showed higher accumulation efficiency in T-47D breast cancer cells than single porphyrins [264] N-GQDs@riboflavin Generated 1 O 2 through a two-photon process under NIR laser [265] GQDs@UCNPs Observed PDT effects from GQDs through x-ray CT imaging of UCNPs [267] Photothermal therapy GQDs from phenol Agents for NIR-II PTT suppressing tumor under 1064 nm laser [177] GQDs-Ce6 Destructed tumor by combining the PDT/PTT and inducing immune activation [271] GQDs@DOX and MB@DOX Synergistic effects of PDT/PTT and chemotherapy for cancer [272] GQDs-SPNs Enhanced cancer treatment by generating •OH in addition to PDT/PTT effects [273] GQDs-COS Antibacterial system based on PDT/PTT, and chemotherapy [274] The...…”