Radiofrequency Ablation of Drug‐Resistant Cancer Cells Using Molecularly Targeted Carboxyl‐Functionalized Biodegradable Graphene

Abstract

Under ultralow radiofrequency (RF) power, transferrin-conjugated graphene nanoparticles can thermally ablate drug- or radiation-resistant cancer cells very effectively. The results suggest that graphene-based RF hyperthermia can be an efficient method to manage drug-/radiation-resistant cancers.

Graphene-Based Platforms for Cancer Therapeutics

“…Graphene and its derivatives have also been explored for radiofrequency-based ablation of cancer cells. Recently, Sasidharan et al reported using carboxylic acid functionalized graphene for in vitro ablation of drug-resistant cancer cells using a radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation source [92]. Carboxylatedgraphene was functionalized with transferrin to target cancer cells and stimulated with a 13.56 MHz radiofrequency power source.…”

Radio frequency responsive nano-biomaterials for cancer therapy

“…Sasidharan et al reported that transferrin modified carboxylated graphene would be ideal for targeting and ablating drug and radiation resistant chronic myelogenous leukemic cancer cells using lower RF exposures for 5 min. The study highlighted the potential of graphene as RF responsive biomaterial, which was efficient enough to abolish CML without any chemo agents, making new possibilities for further RFassisted cancer therapy [79]. The RF ablation induced by transferrin conjugated carboxylated graphene was very specific towards clinically relevant K562 cells (Fig.…”

“…11) as confirmed by different biological assays, throwing light on their possibilities towards new cancer treatment regimens along with RFA. Even though the exact mechanism for RFA using transferrin conjugated graphene is not mentioned, these are reported to be better hyperthermic agents compared to Au-NPs and SWNTs [79]. Since transferrin receptors are overexpressed in brain tumors such as glioma, it would be a great approach to target glioma cells using transferrin conjugated graphene, along with RF treatment.…”

Biomedical applications of gold nanomaterials: opportunities and challenges

“…NIR‐based PTT is marred by several drawbacks including low tissue penetration (1–5 cm) and safety concerns associated with high‐energy laser exposure . A shortwave radiofrequency (RF) field in MHz range offers relatively long (∼30 cm) and even total‐body‐penetrating RF energy delivery with minimal toxicity . However, the invasive nature of RFA has limited usage for clinical applications.…”