Biophotonics and biotechnology in pancreatic cancer: cyclic RGD-peptide-conjugated type II quantum dots for in vivo imaging.
This work introduces a novel, facile and straightforward approach to produce cyclic-RGD-peptide-conjugated type II CdTe/CdS quantum dot (QD) formulation for pancreatic tumor targeting and imaging in live animals. The ultra-small QDs were prepared by a hot colloidal synthesis method. Phospholipid micelles were then used to encapsulate the QDs, allowing them to be stably dispersed in biological fluids and able to conjugate with cyclic-RGD peptides. The QD complex had shown low cytotoxicity on Panc-1 human pancreatic cancer cell lines. In addition, the tissue sections and biodistribution of QD complexes were imaged and analyzed in mice bearing pancreatic tumor xenografts, confirming specific tumor targeting. These studies support further evaluation of type II QDs as potential probes for early pancreatic cancer assessment and detection.
Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA. ktyong@ntu.edu.sg
Ken-Tye
KT
Yong
D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology; D002104:Cadmium; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008823:Micelles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D045663:Quantum Dots
D008823:Micelles; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C507169:cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide; D002104:Cadmium