Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Breast Cancer Imaging and Therapy

摘要

The objective of the research was to explore the feasibility of concomitant detection and of breast cancer through the development of multifunctional nanocomposites that will enable early detection of breast tumors, visualization of dormant metastatic cells and prevent their spread. Fluorescent nanocomposites consisting of CdS and PbS quantum dots (QDs) encapsulated in dendrimers, a class of organic macromolecules, were synthesized, and their optical absorption spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetime were measured. The CdS-based nanocomposites fluoresced in the visible, and PbS-based nanocomposites fluoresced in the near-infrared spectral regions. Optical imaging experiments demonstrated the potential for using these nanocomposites as contrast agents. Three chemokine mimics were synthesized and a toxicity study carried out under a collaborative arrangement showed that none of the mimics to be toxic to MDA MB 468 breast cancer cell lines. Attempts were made to conjugate a chemokine to PbS-dendrimer nanocomposite surface.