title: Quantiosomes as a multimodal nanocarrier for integrating bioimaging and Carboplatin delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Here we report the development of quantiosomes, niosomes formed from Span 60, cholesterol, and quantum dots (QDs), for achieving sensitive bioimaging and anticancer drug delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nanocarriers were further modified by incorporating soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), or cationic surfactant to display different efficiencies. Carboplatin was used as the model drug. The cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and migration inhibition of quantiosomes for treating melanoma cells were described. Finally, intratumoral carboplatin accumulation and in-vivo bioimaging were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average diameters of quantiosomes ranged between 151 and 173 nm, depending on the composition selected. Approximately 50% of the drug was entrapped in quantiosomes. Electron microscopy confirmed the bilayer structure of quantiosomes and the presence of QDs in the vesicular surface. The nanodispersions showed a significant internalization into cells, especially the cationic formulations. Quantiosomes increased cytotoxicity against melanoma by 3 ~ 4-fold as compared to free carboplatin. In-vivo intratumoral administration demonstrated an increased drug depot in melanoma from 6 to 10 ng/mg by SPC-loaded and PEGylated quantiosomes relative to aqueous control. In-vivo fluorescence imaging showed that quantiosomes reduced leakage of QDs from melanoma. A fluorescence signal confined in tumors could be sustained for at least 24 h. Quantiosomes also exhibited a sensitive and prolonged fluorescence in ovarian tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Niosomes containing QDs and carboplatin as a multifunctional nanosystems provide a non-expensive and efficient strategy to prolong drug retention and fluorescence signal in tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chwan-Fwu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Ibrahim A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Aljuffali
authors.forename: Chun-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jia-You
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D065546:Drug Liberation; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D006601:Hexoses / Q000737:chemistry; D008081:Liposomes; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006601:Hexoses; D008081:Liposomes; D002784:Cholesterol; D016190:Carboplatin; C009298:sorbitan monostearate