Tungsten disulfide-based nanocomposites for photothermal therapy.

Tzuriel Levin,Jean-Paul Lellouche,Iftach Nachman,Maayan Pour,Hagit Sade,Rina Ben-Shabbat Binyamini

doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.81

Tzuriel Levin, Jean-Paul Lellouche + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.10.81

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Abstract

Nanostructures of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) have raised scientific interest in the last few decades. Tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes and nanoparticles are among the most extensively studied members in this group, and are used for, e.g., polymer reinforcement, lubrication and electronic devices. Their biocompatibility and low toxicity make them suitable for medical and biological applications. One potential application is photothermal therapy (PTT), a method for the targeted treatment of cancer, in which a light-responsive material is irradiated with a laser in the near-infrared range. In the current article we present WS2 nanotubes functionalized with previously reported ceric ammonium nitrate–maghemite (CAN-mag) nanoparticles, used for PTT. Functionalization of the nanotubes with CAN-mag nanoparticles resulted in a magnetic nanocomposite. When tested in vitro with two types of cancer cells, the functionalized nanotubes showed a better PTT activity compared to non-functionalized nanotubes, as well as reduced aggregation and the ability to add a second-step functionality. This ability is demonstrated here with two polymers grafted onto the nanocomposite surface, and other functionalities could be additional cancer therapy agents for achieving increased therapeutic activity.

Highlights

Electron microscopy images (Figure 2) show that WS2 nanotubes maintained their general shape after conjugation of ceric ammonium nitrate–maghemite (CAN-mag) nanoparticles, and later on, of the polymers
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of WS2-NT-CM-PEI (Figure 2g) and WS2-NT-CM-PAA (Figure 2i) show that the dark CAN-mag composite is surrounded by a lighter substance, namely the organic polymer (PEI or PAA)
We prepared a nanocomposite of WS2-NTs functionalized with CAN-maghemite nanoparticles

Summary

Introduction

WS2 nanotubes functionalized with C-dots showed promising results for PTT and cell imaging [47]. Mag nanocomposite successfully eliminated two types of cancerous cells: HeLa cells (cervical cancer) and MCF7 cells (breast cancer), in higher percentages compared to non-functionalized nanotubes. Functionalization with CANmag gives WS2 nanotubes the added values of reduced aggregation, which leads to better targeting, and the possibility for attachments of additional cancer therapy agents.

Results

Conclusion