title: Targeting breast cancer with sugar-coated carbon nanotubes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of glucosamine functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (glyco-MWCNTs) for breast cancer targeting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two types of glucosamine functionalized MWCNTs were developed (covalently linked glucosamine and non-covalently phospholipid-glucosamine coated) and evaluated for their potential to bind and target breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Binding of glyco-MWCNTs in breast cancer cells is mediated by specific interaction with glucose transporters. Glyco-MWCNTs prepared by non-covalent coating with phospholipid-glucosamine displayed an extended blood circulation time, delayed urinary clearance, low tissue retention and increased breast cancer tumor accumulation in vivo. These studies lay the foundation for development of a cancer diagnostic agent based upon glyco-MWCNTs with the potential for superior accuracy over current radiopharmaceuticals.
authors: Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Hanes Bldg, Rm 4045, Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.
authors: Cale D
authors: CD
authors: Fahrenholtz
authors: Department of Chemistry, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
authors: Mallinath
authors: M
authors: Hadimani
authors: Department of Chemistry, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
authors: S Bruce
authors: SB
authors: King
authors: Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Connecticut Health Center, CT 06030, USA.
authors: Suzy V
authors: SV
authors: Torti
authors: Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Hanes Bldg, Rm 4045, Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.|Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.
authors: Ravi
authors: R
authors: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
keywords: biocompatibility; imaging; metabolism; nanoparticle; self-assembly