Characterization of tumor-targeting Ag2S quantum dots for cancer imaging and therapy in vivo

Abstract

Nanomedicine platforms that have the potential to simultaneously provide the function of molecular imaging and therapeutic treatment in one system are beneficial to address the challenges of cancer heterogeneity and adaptive resistance. In this study, Cyclic RGD peptide (cRGD), a less-expensive active tumor targeting tri-peptide, and doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, were covalently attached to Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs) to form the nano-conjugates Ag₂S-DOX-cRGD. The optical characterization of Ag₂S-DOX-cRGD manifested the maintenance of QDs fluorescence, which suggested the potential of Ag₂S for monitoring intracellular and systemic drug distribution. The low biotoxicity of Ag₂S QDs indicated that they are promisingly safe nanoparticles for bio-applications. Furthermore, the selective imaging and favorable tumor inhibition of the nanoconjugates were demonstrated at both cell and animal levels. These results indicated a promising future for the utilization of Ag₂S QDs as a kind of multi-functional nano platform to achieve imaging-visible nano-therapeutics.