Folic acid-conjugated cationic Ag2S quantum dots for optical imaging and selective doxorubicin delivery to HeLa cells. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duman, Fatma Demir; Erkisa, Merve; Khodadust, Rouhullah; Ari, Ferda; Ulukaya, Engin; Acar, Havva Yagci
• Is Part Of: Nanomedicine. Volume 12:Number 19(2017)
• Page Start: 2319
• Page End: 2333
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Ag2S quantum dots -- cancer therapy -- doxorubicin -- near-infrared imaging -- targeting; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5889

Abstract

Aim: We aim to develop folic acid (FA)-conjugated cationic Ag2 S near-infrared quantum dots (NIRQDs) for the delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) selectively to folate receptor (FR)-positive cancer cells to achieve enhanced drug efficacy and optical tracking in the NIR region.Materials & methods: Cationic Ag2 S NIRQDs were decorated with FA using a PEG bridge and loaded with DOX. In vitro studies were performed on FR-positive human cervical carcinoma cells and FR-negative A549 cells.Results: Significantly higher uptake of DOX by human cervical carcinoma cells cells and a greater therapeutic effect along with a strong intracellular optical signal were obtained with DOX-loaded FA-conjugated Ag2 S NIRQDs.Conclusion: These Ag2 S NIRQDs are promising theranostic nanoparticles for receptor-mediated delivery of DOX with enhanced drug efficacy combined with optical imaging.