Organic functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with some chemotherapeutic agents as a potential method for drug delivery

Abstract

The grafting of drugs to the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) was attained by the initial conversion of carboxylic groups in SWCNT to corresponding acyl chlorides. The active acyl chlorides in SWCNT were subsequently mixed with chemotherapeutic agents having NH, NH2, and OH functional groups to afford the formation of relevant amide and ester, respectively. The covalently grafted drugs to SWCNT were identified by infrared and UV–visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy methods. From a clinical aspect, the grafting of drugs to the SWCNT can be used as a new tool and useful method for potential drug delivery in patients.

Optimization of single-walled carbon nanotube solubility by noncovalent PEGylation using experimental design methods

“…CNTs (hollow cylinders composed of rolled sheets of graphene built from a hexagonal arrangement of sp 2 -hybridized carbon atoms in nanoscale dimensions)applications. [3][4][5][6] However, CNTs are inert and intrinsically poorly soluble in nearly all organic and inorganic solvents and physiologic fluids. 7 To be biocompatible, the aqueous solubility of CNTs is a prerequisite.…”

Nanotechnology-based approaches in anticancer research

“…81 The grafting of drugs to SWCNTs can be used as a new tool and useful method for potential drug delivery in cancer patients. 82 Drug delivery via nanodiamonds Nanodiamonds (NDs) are attractive agents for use in medicobiological applications, largely due to their greater biocompatibility than other carbon nanomaterials, stable photoluminescence, commercial availability, minimal cytotoxicity, and ease of purification. 83,84 NDs could be functionalized and conjugated to a variety of molecules for the purpose of cell labeling and drug delivery that can improve their solubility, direct them to specific binding sites on target cells and tissues, and reduce their effects on normal tissues.…”

Advances in cancer therapy through the use of carbon nanotube-mediated targeted hyperthermia

“…35 It has been stated that a proficient method needed to minimize toxic effects and also to increase the level of therapeutic response for CNTs, is represented by their conjugation to a carrier molecule. 25,[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] For instance, various strategies for the fabrication of nanomoieties to target folate receptors on the cancer cell membrane have been proposed. 12 Folate receptors are overexpressed in cancer and their targeting allows CNTs to facilitate cellular internalization of folatecontaining species by receptor-mediated endocytosis 43 which is more selective than CNTs alone that enter cells through phagocytosis or endocytosis and through passive diffusion.…”

“…However, 100% selective internalization of nanobioconjugates in the cancer cells remains problematic. 20,21 While progress has been made in biofunctionalization of CNTs using various biological molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), DNA, antibodies, folates, cytostatic drugs, and growth factors, [22][23][24][25][26][27] there is a significant lack of knowledge on how to obtain selectivity these compounds for a single type of cancer cell. This lack is due to the simultaneous presence of the receptors used for the specific binding of the targeting molecules to the membranes of the noncancerous cells, although in smaller amount than the cancer cells.…”