Recent Research Advances of Antibody-conjugated Quantum Dots

Exploring the current landscape of chitosan-based hybrid nanoplatforms as cancer theragnostic

In the last decade, investigators have put significant efforts to develop several diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against cancer. Many novel nanoplatforms, including lipidic, metallic, and inorganic nanocarriers, have shown massive potential at preclinical and clinical stages for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Each of these nano-systems is distinct with its own benefits and limitations. The need to overcome the limitations of single-component nano-systems, improve their morphological and biological features, and achieve multiple functionalities has resulted in the emergence of hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs). These HNPs integrate multicomponent nano-systems with diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single nano-system serving as promising nanotools for cancer theragnostic applications. Chitosan (CS) being a mucoadhesive, biodegradable, and biocompatible biopolymer, has emerged as an essential element for the development of HNPs offering several advantages over conventional nanoparticles including pH-dependent drug delivery, sustained drug release, and enhanced nanoparticle stability. In addition, the free protonable amino groups in the CS backbone offer flexibility to its structure, making it easy for the modification and functionalization of CS, resulting in better drug targetability and cell uptake. This review discusses in detail the existing different oncology-directed CS-based HNPs including their morphological characteristics, in-vitro/in-vivo outcomes, toxicity concerns, hurdles in clinical translation, and future prospects.

Review on Multifunctional Nanotherapeutics for Drug Delivery, Tumor Imaging, and Selective Tumor Targeting by Hyaluronic Acid Coupled Graphene Quantum Dots

Abstract:

Cancer is one of the most widespread life-threatening diseases, and among different types of cancers, breast cancer is the major disease affecting many women worldwide.

Background:

Conventional chemotherapy using anticancer drugs has many drawbacks, like poor water solubility, poor bioavailability, rapid relapse, non-specific selectivity, effect on normal tissues, and rapid drug resistance. Thus, over the last few years, immense efforts have been made to fabricate nanotherapeutics that will release drugs in response to stimuli.

Objective:

Nanotherapeutics based on graphene quantum dots have been acknowledged with much gratitude in the bioscience field and investigation applications because of their distinguishing chemical and physical properties, such as medicine delivery, biosensors, and bioimaging for the advancement invention of disease.

Conclusion:

This paper analyzes the potential applications of graphene quantum dots for the modified and desired release of antitumor drugs. Also, it shows graphene quantum dots' capability to functionalize in the companionship of hyaluronic acid that operates regarding cancer cell directing matrix in bioimaging and multimodal therapy.

Quantum dots: a tool for the detection of explosives/nitro derivatives

Nitro derivatives are considered as major environmental pollutants and issues of health concern. In current times, a variety of methods and techniques have been utilized for the sensing of these nitro derivatives. In view of this, the remarkable fluorescence properties of quantum dots (QDs) provide a great opportunity to detect these nitro derivatives. This review highlighted the recent reports of QDs as the sensing material for these nitro derivative explosives. Different modifications in QDs using physical and chemical approaches can be used to improve their sensing output. Various interaction mechanisms have been discussed between QDs and nitro derivatives to change their fluorescence properties. Finally, the current challenges and the perspective for the forthcoming future are provided in the concluding section. We hope this review will be beneficial in guiding the utilization of QDs in sensing applications.

Applications and Immunological Effects of Quantum Dots on Respiratory System

Quantum dots (QDs), are one kind of nanoscale semiconductor crystals with specific electronic and optical properties, offering near-infrared mission and chemically active surfaces. Increasing interest for QDs exists in developing theranostics platforms for bioapplications such as imaging, drug delivery and therapy. Here we summarized QDs' biomedical applications, toxicity, and immunological effects on the respiratory system. Bioapplications of QDs in lung include biomedical imaging, drug delivery, bio-sensing or diagnosis and therapy. Generically, toxic effects of nanoparticles are related to the generation of oxidative stresses with subsequent DNA damage and decreased lung cells viability in vitro and in vivo because of release of toxic metal ions or the features of QDs like its surface charge. Lastly, pulmonary immunological effects of QDs mainly include proinflammatory cytokines release and recruiting innate leukocytes or adaptive T cells.

Nanomedicine-Based Strategies for Diabetes: Diagnostics, Monitoring, and Treatment

Traditional methods for diabetes management require constant and tedious glucose monitoring (GM) and insulin injections, impacting quality of life. The global diabetic population is expected to increase to 439 million, with approximately US$490 billion in healthcare expenditures by 2030, imposing a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Recent advances in nanotechnology have emerged as promising alternative strategies for the management of diabetes. For example, implantable nanosensors are being developed for continuous GM, new nanoparticle (NP)-based imaging approaches that quantify subtle changes in β cell mass can facilitate early diagnosis, and nanotechnology-based insulin delivery methods are being explored as novel therapies. Here, we provide a holistic summary of this rapidly advancing field compiling all aspects pertaining to the management of diabetes.

A photoelectrochemical sandwich immunoassay for protein S100β, a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, using an ITO electrode modified with a reduced graphene oxide-gold conjugate and CdS-labeled secondary antibody

A sandwich-type photoelectrochemical immunoassay is described for the protein S100ß which is an Alzheimer's disease biomarker found in the astrocytes of the brain. Antibody against S100ß (anti-S100ß) was labeled with CdS quantum dots and then acted as a secondary antibody. The labeled antibody was characterized by FTIR, ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. An indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode was modified with a nanocomposite prepared from reduced graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles. Then, a sol-gel film containing isocyanate functional groups (-N=C=O) was cast on the surface of the electrode. The NCO group reacts with amino groups of the labeled antibody to covalently bind them to the surface. The S100β was bound by the primary immobilized antibody on the rGO-Au/ITO electrode and then sandwiched with the labeled secondary antibody. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were applied to confirm the stepwise changes in the electrochemical properties of the electrode surface. The photoelectrochemical immunoassay, typically operated at a potential of +0.2 V (vs. Ag|AgCl_sat) gives a signal that is related to the logarithm of the S100β concentration in the range from 0.25 to 10 ng·mL^-1 with a lower detection limit of 0.15 pg·mL^-1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of S100β in human serum samples. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of an immunosensor which is based on an indium tin oxide modified with reduced graphene oxide decorated with gold nanocomposite and antibody. The immunosensor was applied for the determination of S100β biomarker by using in the labeled antibody.