title: Double-Network-Structured Graphene Oxide-Containing Nanogels as Photothermal Agents for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.
abstract: Here, we reported the production of hyaluronic acid/polyaspartamide-based double-network nanogels for the potential treatment of colorectal carcinoma. Graphene oxide, thanks to the huge aromatic surface area, allows to easily load high amount of irinotecan (33.0% w/w) and confers to the system hyperthermic properties when irradiated with a near-infrared (NIR) laser beam. We demonstrate that the release of antitumor drug is influenced both by the pH of the external medium and the NIR irradiation process. In vitro biological studies, conducted on human colon cancer cells (HCT 116), revealed that nanogels are uptaken by the cancer cells and, in the presence of the antitumor drug, can produce a synergistic hyperthermic/cytotoxic effect. Finally, 3D experiments demonstrate that it is possible to conduct thermal ablation of solid tumors after the intratumoral administration of nanogels.
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: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiorica
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.identifier: 0000-0003-0246-3474
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: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pitarresi
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: Fabio S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Palumbo
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.|Mediterranean Center for Human Advanced Biotechnologies (Med-Chab), Viale delle Scienze Ed.18, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giammona
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008958:Models, Molecular; D000080385:Nanogels; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000080385:Nanogels; D010087:Oxides; C413692:polyethylene glycol polyethyleneimine nanogel; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006108:Graphite; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid