Fluorescent graphene quantum dots as traceable, pH-sensitive drug delivery systems

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) offer unique fluorescent properties suitable for biomedical applications.
• Targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects.
• pH-sensitive drug release mechanisms can improve drug localization within cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a traceable, pH-sensitive drug delivery system using graphene quantum dots (GQDs).
• To investigate the targeted delivery and release of doxorubicin (Dox) using RGD-modified GQDs.
• To evaluate the anticancer efficacy of the developed system in human prostate cancer cell lines.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as fluorescent drug carriers.
• Loading of doxorubicin (Dox) onto GQDs and functionalization with RGD peptides.
• In vitro evaluation of cellular uptake and pH-triggered Dox release in DU-145 and PC-3 cancer cells.
• Simultaneous tracking of GQD carriers and Dox release using fluorescence.

Main Results:

• The fabricated GQDs successfully carried and released doxorubicin in a pH-sensitive manner.
• RGD peptide functionalization significantly enhanced the uptake of Dox-loaded GQDs by cancer cells.
• The system demonstrated simultaneous tracking of both the carrier and the released drug.
• Effective anticancer activity was observed in prostate cancer cell lines treated with Dox-loaded RGD-modified GQDs.

Conclusions:

• Graphene quantum dots can be effectively utilized as traceable drug delivery vehicles.
• The developed system enables targeted and pH-triggered release of chemotherapeutic drugs.
• RGD modification enhances cellular uptake, improving the potential of GQD-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy.