Lee P-C
National Taiwan University, TW
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, electro-permeabilisation, hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed and actively explored as multifunctional innovative carriers for drug delivery. This project presents a new modality for cell electro-permeabilisation based on the use of CNTs and external static electric fields to achieve highly drug delivery efficiency. Besides, CNTs are unique materials that absorb infrared (IR) radiation in the specific spectral window where body tissues are most transparent. Absorbed IR promotes molecular oscillation leading to efficient heating of the surrounding environment. By using these characteristics of CNTs, we conjugated photosensitizers (PS) on chemically functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes (f-SWNTs) to combine photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia for killing cancer cells specifically and effectively. Thus, CNT complex drug delivery is promising for improving the efficacy of drug delivery and treatment to decrease side effects for future cancer therapy.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2011: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy
Published: June 13, 2011
Pages: 379 - 381
Industry sector: Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Cancer Nanotechnology
ISBN: 978-1-4398-7138-6