New strategy of efficient inhibition of cancer cells by carborane carboxylic acid–CdTe nanocomposites

• Published in: Nanomedicine 2012-08, Vol.8 (6), p.860-869
• Main Authors: Wu, Chunhui, PhD, Shi, Lixin, PhD, Li, Qingning, PhD, Jiang, Hui, PhD, Selke, Matthias, PhD, Yan, Hong, PhD, Wang, Xuemei, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis - drug effects; Cadmium Compounds - administration & dosage; Cadmium Compounds - chemistry; Cancer cell inhibition; Carborane carboxylic derivatives; Carboxylic Acids - administration & dosage; Carboxylic Acids - chemistry; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - physiopathology; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Humans; Internal Medicine; Nanocomposites; Nanostructures - administration & dosage; Nanostructures - chemistry; Quantum dots; Tellurium - administration & dosage; Tellurium - chemistry
• ISSN: 1549-9634; 1549-9642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2011.10.011

Abstract Nanoconjugates composed of drug molecules encapsulated in quantum dots (QDs) attract enormous attention due to their promising bioimaging and biomedical applications. Here, the anticancer efficiency of potential pharmacophore agents ( o -carborane (Cb), o -carborane-C-carboxylic acid (Cbac1), and o -carborane-C(1)C(2)-dicarboxylic acid (Cbac2) coupling with cadmium telluride QDs capped with cysteamine (CA-CdTe QDs)) have been explored. Compared with free CA-CdTe QDs, the composites consisting of Cbac1/Cbac2 and safe-dosage QDs can greatly improve the inhibition efficiency toward SMMC-7721 hepatocellular carcinoma cells with the aid of our real-time cell bioelectronic sensing system and the MTT assay. The enhanced cytotoxicity correlates with increased intracellular reactive oxygen species generation and cell apoptosis. Confocal laser scanning fluorescent microscopy shows improved cellular uptake and drug distribution of the Cbac1/Cbac2-CdTe QDs nanoconjugates. This work raises the possibility that the carborane pharmacophore in combination with QDs or other anticancer drugs may be viable for efficient cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy. From the Clinical Editor This team of investigators demonstrates efficient inhibition of cancer cells by carborane carboxylic acid–Cadmium telluride nanodots in cell cultures of hepatocellular carcinoma. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term safety and potential in vivo applicability.