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Receptor-targeted, drug-loaded, functionalized graphene oxides for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy

Raj Kumar Thapa1, Ju Yeon Choi1, Bijay Kumar Poudel1

  • 1College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsanbuk-do, South Korea.

International Journal of Nanomedicine
|July 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study developed folic acid-conjugated graphene oxide nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy. These nanoparticles effectively deliver sorafenib to cancer cells, enhancing drug efficacy and reducing side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, with chemotherapy efficacy often limited by poor drug uptake, resistance, and side effects.
  • Targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for improving the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Folic acid receptors are overexpressed on many cancer cells, making them a viable target for drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prepare and characterize folic acid (FA)-conjugated polyvinyl pyrrolidone-functionalized graphene oxides (GO) for targeted delivery of sorafenib (SF).
  • To evaluate the potential of FA-GO/SF as a nanocarrier for enhanced cancer treatment, including targeted delivery and photothermal effects.

Main Methods:

  • Graphene oxides (GO) were synthesized using a modified Hummer's method.
  • GO was functionalized with folic acid (FA) to create FA-GO, and then loaded with sorafenib (SF) to form FA-GO/SF.
  • Characterization involved spectroscopy, diffraction, microscopy, zeta potential, in vitro drug release, hemolytic toxicity, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and apoptosis assays.

Main Results:

  • Successful synthesis and characterization of GO and FA-GO, demonstrating improved stability and drug-loading capacity.
  • FA-GO/SF exhibited enhanced sorafenib release under acidic conditions, beneficial for tumor microenvironments.
  • Targeted delivery to FA receptor-expressing cancer cells increased cellular uptake and induced apoptosis, amplified by near-infrared-triggered photothermal effects.

Conclusions:

  • FA-GO/SF nanoparticles show promise as an effective system for targeted cancer therapy.
  • The combination of targeted drug delivery and photothermal therapy offers a synergistic approach to enhance anticancer efficacy.
  • This nanocarrier system represents a potential advancement in delivering chemotherapeutic agents more effectively in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
folic acidgraphene oxidenear-infraredsorafenibtargeted drug delivery

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