title: Targeted Delivery of Docetaxel by Use of Transferrin/Poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier.
abstract: The exceptional chemical and physical properties of graphene oxide (GO) make it an attractive nanomaterial for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery. In this work we synthesized a novel, GO-based nanocarrier for the delivery of docetaxel (DTX), a potent hydrophobic chemotherapy drug. The GO was functionalized with transferrin (Tf)-poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), which provided targeted and specific accumulation to extracellular Tf receptors and stabilized GO in physiological solutions. Tf was conjugated to PAH via amide covalent linkages, and Tf-PAH coated the surface of DTX-loaded GO through electrostatic interactions. The morphology and structure of the resulting nanostructure, along with its surface modifications, were verified by use of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV-vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DTX was loaded at a relatively high loading capacity of 37% and released in a pH-dependent and sustained manner under physiological conditions. The targeting efficiency and cytotoxicity of this drug delivery system were evaluated on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Improved efficacy of targeted DTX-loaded nanocarrier was observed compared to nontargeted carrier and free DTX, especially at high drug concentrations. The Tf-PAH-functionalized GO nanocarrier is a promising candidate for targeted delivery and controlled release of DTX.
authors.affiliation: Catalysis and Nanostructured Materials Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran , Post Office Box 11155/4563, Tehran, Iran.|School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , 70 Nanyang Drive, Block N1.3, Singapore 637457.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nasrollahi
authors.forename: Jaleh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varshosaz
authors.affiliation: Catalysis and Nanostructured Materials Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran , Post Office Box 11155/4563, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khodadadi
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , 70 Nanyang Drive, Block N1.3, Singapore 637457.
authors.forename: Sierin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jahanian-Najafabadi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014168:Transferrin / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D010087:Oxides; D011073:Polyamines; D043823:Taxoids; D014168:Transferrin; D000077143:Docetaxel; C063994:polyallylamine; D006108:Graphite
keywords: MCF-7; cytotoxicity; docetaxel; drug delivery; graphene oxide; poly(allylamine hydrochloride); transferrin