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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
A Bright NIR-II Fluorescence Probe for Vascular and Tumor Imaging
Published on: March 17, 2023
Dual-function fluorescent probe for cancer imaging and therapy
Hongjing Cui1, Ran Wang1, Ying Zhou1
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
To date, several fluorescent probes modified by a single targeting agent have been explored. However, studies on the preparation of dual-function quantum dot (QD) fluorescent probes with dual-targeting action and a therapeutic effect are rare. Here, a dual-targeting CdTe/CdS QD fluorescent probe with a bovine serum albumin-glycyrrhetinic acid conjugate and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid was successfully prepared that could induce the apoptosis of liver cancer cells and showed enhanced targeting in in vitro cell imaging. Therefore, the as-prepared fluorescent probe in this work is an efficient diagnostic tool for the simultaneous detection of liver cancer and breast cancer cells.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel dual-targeting quantum dot (QD) fluorescent probe for simultaneous liver and breast cancer detection. This probe also induces apoptosis in liver cancer cells, offering a dual diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
- Quantum Dot (QD) Development
- Cancer Theranostics
Background:
- Existing fluorescent probes often utilize a single targeting agent.
- Dual-function quantum dot (QD) probes combining targeting and therapeutic effects are scarce.
- Need for advanced diagnostic tools for simultaneous cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare a novel dual-targeting CdTe/CdS quantum dot (QD) fluorescent probe.
- To evaluate the probe's dual-targeting capability and therapeutic effect on cancer cells.
- To assess its efficacy for simultaneous detection of liver and breast cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of CdTe/CdS core-shell quantum dots.
- Conjugation of bovine serum albumin-glycyrrhetinic acid and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid to QDs.
- In vitro cell imaging and apoptosis induction assays.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared a dual-targeting QD fluorescent probe.
- Demonstrated enhanced targeting and imaging in vitro.
- Induced apoptosis in liver cancer cells, indicating a therapeutic effect.
Conclusions:
- The developed QD probe exhibits dual-targeting and therapeutic functionalities.
- It shows potential as an efficient diagnostic tool for simultaneous detection of liver and breast cancer.
- This represents a significant advancement in theranostic applications of quantum dots.
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