title: Photothermal Ablation of Cancer Cells Using Folate-Coated Gold/ Graphene Oxide Composite.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A new tumor targeted polymer-coated gold/graphene hybrid has been developed for achieving simultaneously thermoablation and chemoterapy of folate receptor-positive cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The gold/graphene hybrid was prepared by depositing gold nanospheres onto graphene oxide and coating it with an inulin-folate conjugate. Paclitaxel was loaded by sonication. The hybrid was characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, DSC analysis and SEM microscopy. The cytotoxicity, thermoablation and anticancer activity were evaluated in vitro on MCF-7 and 16 HBE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vitro tests showed that the paclitaxel-loaded hybrid improved the effectiveness of the drug especially after photothermal treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the whole, while gold/graphene composite provided an excellent time-dependent photothermal effect, the loading of paclitaxel allowed a suitable chemotherapy, thus killing cancer cells both via a selective laser beam thermoablation and hyperthermia-triggered chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biocompatible Polymers, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biocompatible Polymers, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Li
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Volsi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biocompatible Polymers, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scialabba
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biocompatible Polymers, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Licciardi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biocompatible Polymers, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennara
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biocompatible PolymeLaboratory of Biocompatible Polymers, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo,rs, Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 32 90123 Palermo, Italy. Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giammona
mesh_terms: D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold; D006108:Graphite; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D010087:Oxides; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010789:Phototherapy
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D006046:Gold; D006108:Graphite; D005492:Folic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel
keywords: Gold nanoparticles; folate; graphene; hyperthermia; inulin; paclitaxel; thermal ablation