Quantum Dots-Based Multifunctional Nano-Prodrug Fabricated by Ingenious Self-Assembly Strategies for Tumor Theranostic

Abstract

The rapid developments of quantum dots (QDs)-based nanoagents for imaging tumor and tracking drug delivery have been proven to be reliable nanodiagnostic techniques. Although abundant types of QD nanoagents have been developed for fighting against cancer, it still is a challenge to control their quality and achieve prefect repetition due to the complicated synthetic steps. The precise intermolecular self-assembly (SA) may afford a facile and low-cost strategy for this challenge. Herein, a pH and HO dual-sensitive Sb-cyclodextrin (CD)-doxorubicin (DOX) molecule was designed to construct a QD-based theranostic prodrug (named as Sb-CD-DOX-ZAISe/ZnS) via host-guest strategy (1st SA strategy), in which QDs water-transfer and drug-uploading were integrated well. That is, the nano-prodrug (NPD) inherited highly luminescent properties from "host" QDs for bioimaging, as well as environment sensitivities from "guest" Sb-CD-DOX for drug release. Experimental results indicate that the Sb-CD-DOX-ZAISe/ZnS exhibited effectively passive tumor-targeting and could provide clear imaging for malignant tumors in metaphase or advanced stages; meanwhile, after coating with folic acid (FA) through electric attraction (2nd SA strategy), the final Sb-CD-DOX-ZAISe/ZnS@FA NPD showed expected pH-controlled negative-to-positive charge reversal ability and a better curative effect compared with free DOX. Hence, fabricating nanocomposites by highly efficient self-assembly strategies is favorable toward inorganic nanoparticles-based prodrug delivery system for tumor-targeting theranostic.

Thermo-Sensitive Nanomaterials: Recent Advance in Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

“…Other types of nanomaterials have been investigated as theranostic systems such as micelles [ 187 ], liposomes [ 188 , 189 ], nanogels [ 190 ], polymer-based NPs [ 191 ], quantum dots [ 192 ], silica-based NPs [ 193 ], black phosphorous-based materials [ 194 ], graphene-based materials [ 195 ], and so on.…”

The targeting ability of fluorescent quantum dots to the folate receptor rich tumors

“…A great deal of current research and clinical trials are devoted to the assessment of the potential use of QDs as an alternative fluorescent marker [4][5][6][7][8]. Moreover, by using QDs fluorescent probe for fluorescence guided surgery and as a drug nanoplatform, QDs can achieve theranostic purpose [9,10].…”

Nanoparticulation of Prodrug into Medicines for Cancer Therapy

“…Taking the advantage of quantum dots (QDs) in tumor imaging and drug tracking properties, Deng et al constructed a ZnAgInSe/ZnS QD-based theranostic prodrug via host-guest interaction which enable precise intermolecular self-assembly; beside the highresolution imaging for malignant tumors, folic acid coated QDs nanodrug internalized the tumor cell by undergo charge reversal (Figure 4A), effectively inhibited the tumor growth up to 50%, further confirmed by histological observation. [65] Positive charged carbon dots were decorated by negative charged cisplatin(IV) prodrug through ionic interactions and further masked with anionic polymer as nanocarrier which underwent charge conversion and drug release (Figure 4B) to respond acidic tumor extracellular microenvironment. [66] The numerous self-assembly of drug-adjuvant conjugates into NPs has been described, but the detailed assembling mechanism is poorly understood.…”