Cornell Prime Dots (C’ dots): Ultrasmall PEGylated fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles for cancer theranostics

摘要

Cancer is a prevalent concern in today’s society. It is the second most common death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. Currently, cancer treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. Within the past decade, there has been a huge upsurge in novel ideas and technology to combat this disease. From the 2000s, the Wiesner lab group has been working on silica-based nanomaterials for cancer “theranostics”. The first generation of Cornell dots (C dots) was fluorescent PEGylated silica nanoparticles used as diagnostic and therapeutic probes in cancer patient care. These particles have already been tested in first-in-human FDA-approved clinical trials, making them the first inorganic-polymer hybrid diagnostic bio-probe to enter clinical trials. They can be injected in the body, flow through the bloodstream, and be excreted without major side effects. The next generation C’ dots have been synthesized in aqueous solution to be even brighter particles than before. Brighter particles allow for clearer visualization in the body, which is especially beneficial when locating, imaging and excising a tumor. This is a valuable component of our particles because it allows for the effective treatment of cancer cells, while allowing healthy, living cells to remain unharmed.