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Research Article

Carbon nanotubes as multifunctional biological transporters and near-infrared agents for selective cancer cell destruction

Nadine Wong Shi Kam, Michael O'Connell, Jeffrey A. Wisdom, and Hongjie Dai
  1. *Department of Chemistry and Laboratory for Advanced Materials, and †Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305

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PNAS August 16, 2005 102 (33) 11600-11605; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0502680102
Nadine Wong Shi Kam
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Michael O'Connell
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Jeffrey A. Wisdom
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Hongjie Dai
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  1. Edited by Harry B. Gray, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, and approved June 30, 2005 (received for review April 1, 2005)

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Abstract

Biological systems are known to be highly transparent to 700- to 1,100-nm near-infrared (NIR) light. It is shown here that the strong optical absorbance of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in this special spectral window, an intrinsic property of SWNTs, can be used for optical stimulation of nanotubes inside living cells to afford multifunctional nanotube biological transporters. For oligonucleotides transported inside living cells by nanotubes, the oligos can translocate into cell nucleus upon endosomal rupture triggered by NIR laser pulses. Continuous NIR radiation can cause cell death because of excessive local heating of SWNT in vitro. Selective cancer cell destruction can be achieved by functionalization of SWNT with a folate moiety, selective internalization of SWNTs inside cells labeled with folate receptor tumor markers, and NIR-triggered cell death, without harming receptor-free normal cells. Thus, the transporting capabilities of carbon nanotubes combined with suitable functionalization chemistry and their intrinsic optical properties can lead to new classes of novel nanomaterials for drug delivery and cancer therapy.

  • cancer cells
  • optical excitation
  • radiation therapy
  • drug delivery nanobiotechnology

Footnotes

  • ↵ ‡ To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hdai{at}stanford.edu.

  • Author contributions: N.W.S.K., M.O., and H.D. designed research; N.W.S.K., M.O., and J.A.W. performed research; N.W.S.K., M.O., and H.D. analyzed data; and N.W.S.K. and H.D. wrote the paper.

  • This paper was submitted directly (Track II) to the PNAS office.

  • Abbreviations: NIR, near-infrared; SWNT, single-walled carbon nanotube; AFM, atomic force microscopy; PL, phospholipid; PEG, polyethylene glycol; FA, folic acid; FR, folate receptor.

  • Copyright © 2005, The National Academy of Sciences
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Carbon nanotubes as multifunctional biological transporters and near-infrared agents for selective cancer cell destruction
Nadine Wong Shi Kam, Michael O'Connell, Jeffrey A. Wisdom, Hongjie Dai
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Aug 2005, 102 (33) 11600-11605; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0502680102

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Carbon nanotubes as multifunctional biological transporters and near-infrared agents for selective cancer cell destruction
Nadine Wong Shi Kam, Michael O'Connell, Jeffrey A. Wisdom, Hongjie Dai
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Aug 2005, 102 (33) 11600-11605; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0502680102
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: 102 (33)
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