title: Carbon nanotubes filled with a chemotherapeutic agent: a nanocarrier mediates inhibition of tumor cell growth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are presented as feasible carriers for carboplatin, a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. The drug was introduced into CNTs to demonstrate that they are suited as nanocontainers and nanocarriers and can release the drug to initialize its medical virtue.
  
  
  METHODS
  The filling was accomplished by a wet-chemical approach after the CNTs were opened. The effect on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity of the carboplatin-filled CNT was investigated by using a viability assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using different analysis methods such as electron energy loss spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy the structure of carboplatin incorporated into the CNTs was found to be retained. In vitro studies showed that carboplatin-filled CNTs inhibited growth of bladder cancer cells whereas unfilled, opened CNTs barely affected cancer cell growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reversible filling-emptying process could be performed successfully within this work. This highlights the potential of CNTs for applications in the field of drug delivery.
authors: Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany. s.hampel@ifw-dresden.de
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Hampel
authors: Doreen
authors: D
authors: Kunze
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Haase
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Krämer
authors: Mandy
authors: M
authors: Rauschenbach
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Ritschel
authors: Albrecht
authors: A
authors: Leonhardt
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Thomas
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Oswald
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Hoffmann
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Büchner
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon