Enhanced intratumoral uptake of quantum dots concealed within hydrogel nanoparticles

Abstract

Effective nanomedical devices for tumor imaging and drug delivery are not yet available. Inan attempt to construct a more functional device for tumor imaging, we have embeddedquantum dots (which have poor circulatory behavior) within hydrogel nanoparticles made ofpoly-N-isopropylacrylamide. We found that the hydrogel encapsulated quantumdots are more readily taken up by cultured tumor cells. Furthermore, in amelanoma model, hydrogel encapsulated quantum dots also preferentiallyaccumulate in the tumor tissue compared with normal tissue and have∼16-fold greater intratumoral uptake compared to non-derivatized quantum dots. Our resultssuggest that these derivatized quantum dots, which have greatly improved tumorlocalization, may enhance cancer monitoring and chemotherapy.