A Smart Drug-Delivery Nanosystem Based on Carboxylated Graphene Quantum Dots for Tumor-Targeted Chemotherapy

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Constructing a new drug-delivery system using carboxylated graphene quantum dots (cGQDs) for tumor chemotherapy <i>in vivo</i>. <b>Materials & methods:</b> A drug-delivery system was synthesized through a crosslink reaction of cGQDs, NH₂-poly(ethylene glycol)-NH₂ and folic acid. <b>Results:</b> A drug delivery system of folic acid-poly(ethylene glycol)-cGQDs was successfully constructed with ideal entrapment efficiency (97.5%) and drug-loading capacity (40.1%). Cell image indicated that the nanosystem entered into human cervical cancer cells mainly through macropinocytosis-dependent pathway. <i>In vivo</i> experiments showed the outstanding antitumor ability and low systemic toxicity of this nanodrug-delivery system. <b>Conclusion:</b> The newly developed drug-delivery system provides an important alternative for tumor therapy without causing systemic adverse effects.