title: Targeted near-IR QDs-loaded micelles for cancer therapy and imaging.
abstract: The use of water-soluble, functionalized quantum dots (QDs) that are highly stable against oxidation for biological and biomedical applications is currently one of the fastest growing fields of nanotechnology. Polymer-based nanoparticles are now widely used for drug delivery and targeted therapy. We modified the surface of near Infrared QDs by the solid dispersion method using PEG-PCDA and PCDA-Herceptin conjugates to demonstrate water-solubility and target-specific properties. Upon UV irradiation, QD cores located within nanoprobes were further stabilized by intramicellar cross-linking between neighboring PCDA-Herceptin moieties. These cross-linked nanoprobes showed higher stability and less toxicity. Near-IR QDs-loaded micelles were spherical with diameters of around 130-150 nm. The anti-tumor effect of near-IR QDs-loaded micelles against MDA-MB-231 tumors was remarkably better than that of control. Mice treated with the near-IR QDs-loaded micelles had a tumor volume of about 285 mm(3), indicating shrinkage in initial tumor volume and inhibition of tumor growth by 77.3% compared to that of control group (saline injection). In addition, near-IR QDs-loaded micelles were injected intravenously into tumor-bearing nude mice for simultaneous tumor therapy and imaging. We observed that the targeted near-IR QDs-loaded micelles distributed rapidly throughout the animal body including the tumor in real time. These multi-functional nanoprobes could therefore be used for both active and passive targeting, imaging and treatment of cancers in the early stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chungju National University, Chungbuk 380-702, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nurunnabi
authors.forename: Kwang Jae
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Joon Sig
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kang Moo
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Yong-kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D051379:Mice; D008823:Micelles; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D045663:Quantum Dots; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D008823:Micelles; D011091:Polyesters; C500738:poly(10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000068878:Trastuzumab