title: Multifunctional near-infrared-emitting nano-conjugates based on gold clusters for tumor imaging and therapy.
abstract: Gold nanoclusters (NCs) were functionalized as a fluorescent probe and a pro-drug intended for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Firstly, Au NCs were conjugated with methionine (Met) and MPA, a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye, giving a probe, Au-Met-MPA. The tumor targeting capability endowed by Met as well as low cytotoxicity of this contrast agent and its clinical potential for tumor targeting imaging were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Secondly, Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used clinical anti-cancer drug, was immobilized on the methionine modified Au NCs to form a pro-drug, Au-Met-DOX. The enhanced tumor affinity and improved anti-tumor activity of this pro-drug were demonstrated. Results in this study suggest not only the prospect of non-toxic Au NCs modified with functional ligands for tumor-targeted imaging, but also confirm the promising future of Au NCs as a core for the design of pro-drug in the field of cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjia Lane, Gulou District, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Bowen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xueyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Shengnan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yuxiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Sisi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Yueqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D027283:Large Neutral Amino Acid-Transporter 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C419196:LAT2 protein, human; D027283:Large Neutral Amino Acid-Transporter 1; D006046:Gold; D004317:Doxorubicin