Carbon Nanotubes as Molecular Nanocarriers for Antibody Delivery and Photothermal Ablation of Breast Cancer Cells

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In this paper, the utilization of carbon nanotubes as nanocarriers for antibody delivery to IGF1R and HER2 surface receptors and selective thermal ablation of breast cancer cells is presented. IGF1R and Her2 surface receptors are overexpressed in wide variety of cancer cells and therefore nanoscale therapy based on IGF1R and Her2 remains an important priority today. In this work we show that single wall nanotubes functionalized with Her2 and IGF1R specific antibodies showed selective attachment to breast cancer cells compared to nanotubes functionalized with non-specific antibodies. Confocal microscopy revealed that the nanotubes treated with specific antibodies were well attached on top of the cell membrane. After the complexes were attached to specific cancer cells, nanotubes were excited by ~808 nm infrared photons at ~800 mW/cm2 for 3 minutes. Viability after phototherapy was determined by Trypan blue exclusion. Cells incubated with nanotube/non-specific antibody hybrids were still alive after photothermal treatment due to the impermeability of the cell membrane. All cancerous cells treated with IGF1R and Her2 specific antibody/nanotube hybrids and received infrared photons showed cell death after the laser excitation. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that all the cells treated with SWCNT/IGF1R and Her2 specific antibody complex were completely destroyed, while that of SWCNT/non-specific antibody hybrids remained alive.

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2009: Life Sciences, Medicine, Diagnostics, Bio Materials and Composites
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 52 - 55
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Cancer Nanotechnology
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1783-4