Trifunctional Graphene Quantum Dot@LDH Integrated Nanoprobes for Visualization Therapy of Gastric Cancer

Visualization technology has become a trend in tumor therapy in recent years. The superior optical properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) make them suitable candidates for tumor diagnosis, but their tumor targeting and drug-carrying capacities are still not ideal for treatment. Sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots (SGQDs) with stable fluorescence are prepared in a previous study. A reliable strategy by associating layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and etoposide (VP16) is designed for precise visualization therapy. Trifunctional LDH@SGQD-VP16 integrated nanoprobes can simultaneously achieve targeted aggregation, fluorescence visualization, and chemotherapy. LDH@SGQD-VP16 can accumulate in the tumor microenvironment, owing to pH-sensitive properties and long-term photostability in vivo, which can provide a basis for cancer targeting, real-time imaging, and effect tracking. The enhanced therapeutic and attenuated side effects of VP16 are demonstrated, and the apoptosis caused by LDH@SGQD-VP16 is ≈2.7 times higher than that of VP16 alone, in HGC-27 cells. This work provides a theoretical and experimental basis for LDH@SGQD-VP16 as a potential multifunctional agent for visualization therapy of gastric cancer.