PEG coated biocompatible cadmium chalcogenide quantum dots for targeted imaging of cancer cells

J Fluoresc. 2012 May;22(3):931-44. doi: 10.1007/s10895-011-1032-y. Epub 2012 Jan 8.

Abstract

Cancer stands as a leading cause of mortality worldwide and diagnostics of cancer still faces drawbacks. Optical imaging of cancer would allow early diagnosis, evaluation of disease progression and therapy efficiency. To that aim, we have developed highly biocompatible PEG functionalized cadmium chalcogenide based three differently luminescent quantum dots (QDs) (CdS, CdSe and CdTe). Folate targeting scheme was utilized for targeting cancer cell line, MCF-7. We demonstrate the biocompatibility, specificity and efficiency of our nanotool in detection of cancer cells sparing normal cell lines with retained fluorescence of functionalized QDs as parental counterpart. This is the first time report of utilizing three differently fluorescent QDs and we have detailed about the internalization of these materials and time dependent saturation of targeting schemes. We present here the success of utilizing our biocompatible imaging tool for early diagnosis of cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium / chemistry*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chalcogens / chemistry*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / analysis*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemical synthesis
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Agents / analysis*
  • Luminescent Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Luminescent Agents / chemistry
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Particle Size
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Surface Properties
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Chalcogens
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Luminescent Agents
  • Cadmium
  • Polyethylene Glycols