title: Formulation design and evaluation of quantum dot-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for integrating bioimaging and anticancer therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors studied the bioimaging and delivery of drug-entrapped, nanostructured lipid carriers with quantum dots (QDs), called QDNLCs, for integrating imaging and therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nanostructured lipid carriers consisting of QDs, including lipophilic QDs, carboxyl-function QDs or PEG QDs were prepared. Application of the nanocarriers was evaluated by cytotoxicity, cell migration, cellular uptake, in vivo real-time tumor monitoring and drug accumulation in tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All QDNLCs exhibited a size of 245 nm with camptothecin encapsulation of >99%. Cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles against melanoma cells was superior to that of free camptothecin. Carboxylic acid-conjugated QDNLCs (C-QDNLCs) showed the highest cell internalization and in vivo fluorescence labeling compared with the other carriers. Real-time bioimaging demonstrated that C-QDNLCs maintained signaling in tumors for at least 24 h. The camptothecin accumulation in melanomas increased by 6.4-fold after incorporation into C-QDNLCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the first time, nanostructured lipid carriers were coordinated with QDs and an anticancer drug to provide efficient tumor imaging and drug delivery. Original submitted 1 May 2012; Revised submitted 30 August 2012; Published online 5 February 2013.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science, Tainan City, Taiwan.
authors: Shu-Hui
authors: SH
authors: Hsu
authors: Chih-Jen
authors: CJ
authors: Wen
authors: Saleh A
authors: SA
authors: Al-Suwayeh
authors: Yu-Jie
authors: YJ
authors: Huang
authors: Jia-You
authors: JY
authors: Fang
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008055:Lipids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D002166:Camptothecin