Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheet for Chemo-photothermal Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Protein-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets are promising for stimuli-responsive drug delivery.
• Developing effective carriers for targeted cancer therapy remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA)-functionalized rGO (DOX-BSA-rGO) nanosheets.
• To evaluate the potential of DOX-BSA-rGO for chemo-photothermal therapy.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of BSA-functionalized rGO nanosheets.
• Loading of doxorubicin (DOX) onto the nanosheets.
• Characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectrophotometry.
• In vitro assessment of cellular uptake and cytotoxicity.
• Demonstration of near-infrared (NIR)-induced chemo-photothermal therapy.

Main Results:

• DOX-BSA-rGO nanosheets were successfully synthesized and characterized.
• DOX-BSA-rGO exhibited dose-dependent cellular uptake with no observed cytotoxic effects.
• Effective chemo-photothermal therapy was demonstrated on brain tumor cells using NIR irradiation.

Conclusions:

• DOX-BSA-rGO nanosheets represent a viable platform for targeted drug delivery.
• This nanosheet formulation shows significant potential as a tool for combined chemo-photothermal therapy applications.