Carbon quantum dot–NO photoreleaser nanohybrids for two-photon phototherapy of hypoxic tumors

Abstract

We report a conjugate between carbon quantum dots and a NO photoreleaser able to photogenerate the anticancer NO radical via an energy transfer mechanism. This nanohybrid proved toxic to cancer cells in vitro and significantly reduced tumor volume in mice bearing human xenograft BxPC-3 pancreatic tumors upon two-photon excitation with the highly biocompatible 800 nm light.