Pristine/folate-functionalized graphene oxide as two intrinsically radioiodinated nano-theranostics: self/dual in vivo targeting comparative study

• Published in: Cancer nanotechnology 2023-12, Vol.14 (1), p.6-17, Article 6
• Main Authors: Swidan, Mohamed M., Essa, Basma M., Sakr, Tamer M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biocompatibility; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Cancer Research; Cerium gadolinium oxides; Chemistry and Materials Science; Comparative studies; Folic acid; Graphene; Graphene oxide nanosheets; In vivo methods and tests; Intrinsic radioiodination; Materials Science; Nanoplatform; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Radioactive tracers; Theranostic; Toxicity; Tumor; Tumors
• ISSN: 1868-6958; 1868-6966
• DOI: 10.1186/s12645-023-00157-y

Background Nanomedicine offers great potentials for theranostic studies via providing higher efficacy and safety levels. This work aimed to develop and evaluate a new nanoplatform as a tumor theranostic probe. Results Carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets (FGO) was well synthesized from graphite powder and then conjugated with folic acid to act as a targeted nano-probe. Full characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation were conducted; besides, in vivo bio-evaluation was attained via intrinsic radioiodination approach in both normal and tumor-bearing Albino mice. The results indicated that FGO as well as conjugated graphene oxide nanosheets (CGO) are comparatively non-toxic to normal cells even at higher concentrations. Pharmacokinetics of FGO and CGO showed intensive and selective uptake in the tumor sites where CGO showed high T/NT of 7.27 that was 4 folds of FGO at 1 h post injection. Additionally, radioiodinated-CGO (ICGO) had declared a superior prominence over the previously published tumor targeted GO radiotracers regarding the physicochemical properties pertaining ability and tumor accumulation behavior. Conclusions In conclusion, ICGO can be used as a selective tumor targeting agent for cancer theranosis with aid of I-131 that has a maximum beta and gamma energies of 606.3 and 364.5 keV, respectively.