Near-infrared light triggered photo-therapy, in combination with chemotherapy using magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots for effective cancer treating

Magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots (MCQDs) have attracted significant attention in biomedical studies due to their major role in cancer photothermal therapeutics. We synthesized the FeN@CQDs with intrinsic photoluminescent and magnetic properties with a green, hydrothermal method. These magnetofluorescent FeN@CQDs were conjugated with a folic acid and riboflavin (Rf-FA-FeN@CQDs) as the light-triggered theranostics for simultaneous photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). In order to reduce Rf-FA-FeN@CQDs biological toxicity, we used a highly efficient cross-linking reaction to incorporate Rf-FA-FeN@CQDs nanostructures into polymer nanospheres. Doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, was further incorporated into the GP-Rf-FA-FeN@CQDs to form GP-Rf-FA-FeN@CQDs-DOX to enable targeted drug delivery. The uptake into cancer cells and the intracellular location of the GP-Rf-FA-FeN@CQDs-DOX were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results of both in vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that the developed can deliver anti-cancer drugs to target cells, release them intracellular upon NIR irradiation, and effectively eliminate tumors through chemo-photo synergistic therapeutic effect.

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