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Review
. 2023 Jun 20;13(27):18760-18774.
doi: 10.1039/d3ra02673f. eCollection 2023 Jun 15.

Recent trends in macromolecule-conjugated hybrid quantum dots for cancer theranostic applications

Lokesh Kumar Boopathy  1 , Thiyagarajan Gopal  2 , Anitha Roy  3 , Rakhee Rathnam Kalari Kandy  4 , Madan Kumar Arumugam  5
Affiliations
Review

Recent trends in macromolecule-conjugated hybrid quantum dots for cancer theranostic applications

Lokesh Kumar Boopathy et al. RSC Adv. .

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are small nanoparticles with semiconductor properties ranging from 2 to 10 nanometers comprising 10-50 atoms. The single wavelength excitation character of QDs makes it more significant, as it can excite multiple particles in a confined surface simultaneously by narrow emission. QDs are more photostable than traditional organic dyes; however, when injected into tissues, whole animals, or ionic solutions, there is a significant loss of fluorescence. HQD-based probes conjugated with cancer-specific ligands, antibodies, or peptides are used in clinical diagnosis. It is more precise and reliable than standard immunohistochemistry (IHC) at minimal protein expression levels. Advanced clinical studies use photodynamic therapy (PDT) with fluorescence imaging to effectively identify and treat cancer. Recent studies revealed that a combination of unique characteristics of QDs, including their fluorescence capacity and abnormal expression of miRNA in cancer cells, were used for the detection and monitoring progression of cancer. In this review, we have highlighted the unique properties of QDs and the theranostic behavior of various macromolecule-conjugated HQDs leading to cancer treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Excitation and emission profiles of QDs with symmetrical emission and narrow peaks with broad excitation at a wavelength between 400 nm to 550 nm. Intensity peak based on the absorbance and time (ns) with respect to biological samples.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. The GQDs are excited from the electron–hole through the photovoltage plates and get trapped at the UV wavelength to exhibit photoemission that can be utilized for the bioimaging of in vivo models, in vitro tracking of cancer cells, and study of apoptotic cells specifically. GQD – graphene quantum dot; FRET – fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. The applications of GDs by serving as a biosensor in the detection of various disease conditions by its specific attachment, which targets the desired antibodies linked with conjugated quantum materials. COV – covid; HCV – hepatitis C virus; HIV – human immunodeficiency virus; HPV – human papillomavirus; HBV – hepatitis B virus.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Schematic representation of targeted RBC-membrane enveloped nanosponge-mediated tumor accumulation and penetration of drug/GQDs. (i) The protein/RBCm-capped carbon/silica nanosponge delivery of DTX/GQD. (ii) The particles accumulated at the targeted sites by long-ranged motion protein/RBCm-mediated targeting. (iii) While applying NIR irradiation, the induced thermal energy leads the GQDs to penetrate and release DTX into the tumors. Reproduced with permission from ref. . Copyright American Chemical Society, 2019.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. Schematic representation of the preparation of TC-WS-CQDs and light-induced antitumor mechanism of the TC-WS-CQDs, reproduced with permission from ref. . Copyright BMC Springer Nature, 2022.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6. Schematic representation of the preparation of TC-WS-CQDs and their light-induced antitumor mechanism in Balb/nu mice. Induction of autophagy by photoexcited TC-WS-CQDs in Huh7 cells. (A) Detection of autophagosomes by transmission electron microscopy. Arrows indicate autophagosomes. (B) Western blot analysis of autophagy markers including LC3 conversion, expression of Beclin-1 and p62. (C) Fluorescence images of LC3 puncta expressing mcherry-GFP-LC3. Autophagosomes and autolysosomes observed in Huh7 cells. The data in (C) are mean ± SD (n = 3, statistical significance analyzed via Mann–Whitney test, *p < 0.05). (D) Western blot analysis of p53 expression and phosphorylation of AMPK. CQDs + I470 nm: TC-WS-CQDs with 470 nm irradiation, I470 nm: 470 nm irradiation without TC-WS-CQDs, CQDs: TC-WS-CQDs, control: no TC-WS-CQDs and irradiation. Reproduced with permission from ref. . Copyright BMC Springer Nature, 2022.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7. Schematic representation of the QD bioconjugate synthesis. (Step 1) QDs were activated by a linker, which can attach to the specific antibody or protein. Furthermore, these QDs conjugated antibodies or proteins were treated with cell lines for imaging or therapy. (Step 2) The antibody was specific to the cell surface receptor that can interact and attach to the cells. (Step 3) Finally, QDs were conjugated with antibodies or proteins to form the QD bioconjugate.
None
Madan Kumar Arumugam
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