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Hierarchical multifunctional graphene oxide cancer nanotheranostics agent for synchronous switchable fluorescence imaging and chemical therapy

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Abstract

A nanotheranostics platform was synthesized based on PEGylated graphene oxide–gold nanoparticles and specified with aptamer toward the MUC-1-positive tumor cells. Subsequently, it was loaded with doxorubicin, used for non-invasive fluorescence imaging and therapy of breast and colon tumors. The success of the nano-coating at each synthesis step was characterized through FTIR, XRD, TGA, FE-SEM, EDAX, Zeta-potential, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Besides, the ability of the designed platform in targeted imaging, drug delivery, and in vitro therapy were evaluated using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The selected aptamer acts as a quencher, resulting in an “on/off” fluorescence biosensor. When the aptamer specifically binds to the MUC-1 receptor, its double strands separate, leading to the drug release and the recovery of the fluorescence of (“On” state) at the excitation wavelength of 300 nm. Based on cell toxicity results, this platform has more toxicity toward the MUC-1-positive tumor cells (HT-29 and MCF-7) compared  to MUC-1-negative cells (Hep-G2), representing its selective performance. Thus, this nano-platform can be introduced as a multifunctional cancer nanotheranostics system for tracing particular biomarkers, non-invasive imaging, and targeted chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science & Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Yasaman Esmaeili & Ali Zarrabi

  2. Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran

    Yasaman Esmaeili & Seyede Zohreh Mirahmadi-Zare

  3. Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ali Zarrabi

  4. Center of Excellence for Functional Surfaces and Interfaces (EFSUN), Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ali Zarrabi

  5. Biosensor Research Center (BRC), Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology, and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Isfahan, Iran

    Elham Bidram

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  1. Yasaman Esmaeili
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  2. Ali Zarrabi
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  3. Seyede Zohreh Mirahmadi-Zare
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  4. Elham Bidram
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Correspondence to Ali Zarrabi or Seyede Zohreh Mirahmadi-Zare.

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Highlights

• GO@PEG/Au/Apt/DOX as a new type of smart theranostic agent was fabricated.

• This new nanosystem has an “on/off” fluorescence biosensing ability.

• It also has selective performance against MUC-1-positive tumor cells.

• It is a nanotheranostics system for tracing particular biomarkers, non-invasive imaging, and targeted chemotherapy.

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Esmaeili, Y., Zarrabi, A., Mirahmadi-Zare, S.Z. et al. Hierarchical multifunctional graphene oxide cancer nanotheranostics agent for synchronous switchable fluorescence imaging and chemical therapy. Microchim Acta 187, 553 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-04490-6

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