Abstract
Carbon dots that exhibit near-infrared fluorescence (NIR CDs) are considered emerging nanomaterials for advanced biomedical applications with low toxicity and superior photostability and targeting compared to currently used photoluminescence agents. Despite progress in the synthesis of NIR CDs, there remains a key obstacle to using them as an in vivo theranostic agent. This work demonstrates that the newly developed sulfur and nitrogen codoped NIR CDs are highly efficient in photothermal therapy (PTT) in mouse models (conversion efficiency of 59%) and can be readily visualized by photoluminescence and photoacoustic imaging. The real theranostic potential of NIR CDs is enhanced by their unique biodistribution and targeting. Contrary to all other nanomaterials that have been tested in biomedicine, they are excreted through the body’s renal filtration system. Moreover, after intravenous injection, NIR CDs are accumulated in tumor tissue via passive targeting, without any active species such as antibodies. Due to their accumulation in tumor tissue without the need for intratumor injection, high photothermal conversion, excellent optical and photoacoustic imaging performance, and renal excretion, the developed CDs are suitable for transfer to clinical biomedical practice.
Highlights
IntroductionCancer diagnosis and treatment are issues of acute focus due to high-cancer mortality
Cancer is one of the most severe threats to human health
The morphology and structure of the Carbon dots (CDs) were investigated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
Summary
Cancer diagnosis and treatment are issues of acute focus due to high-cancer mortality. Traditional treatment methods (including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery) have significant side effects, such as physical disorders, reduced immunity, organ damage, and damage of normal tissue. The high costs of anticancer drugs and cancer treatments overwhelm many cancer patients. In addition to pain from the illness, many cancer patients suffer from substantial mental distress due to the financial burden. It is urgent and of significant value to develop effective cancer treatment methods and drugs that have few side effects and are lowcost and easy to synthesize on a large scale
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