Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378:15
1 3
the combined therapy compared to treatment with individual drug-conjugated nanocarriers or free drug suspensions (Fig. 10).
CNTs can also be coupled to other nanosystems with this purpose, such as magnetic particles, quantum dots, nanocomposites, etc. Zhang et al. [193] functionalized
magnetofluorescent MWCNTs for MRI/fluorescence imaging by adding a Gd complex doped with quantum dots. They also combined the nanotubes with doxorubicin
to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent. The nanotubes were intratumorally injected
in a preclinical model of adenocarcinoma, and visualized with photoacoustic imaging and magnetic resonance T1-weighted images. Using NIR absorption properties,
the authors carried out photothermal therapy in combination with selective release
of DOX in the tumor. In a similar way, Hou et al. [194] functionalized SWCNTs
with HA, DOX, and gadolinium to visualize with MRI the biodistribution of the
nanotubes and their antitumor effect in a preclinical model of breast cancer.
CNTs can also be used as theranostic dual contrast agents for fluorescence/MRI
and photothermal therapy, all in a system [195]. The authors So, Zhang, and colleagues reported the preparation of and in vitro and in vivo characterization of
MWCNT-magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots/DOX nanocomposites. They
validated the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities of the compounds with MRI and
fluorescent methodologies in adenocarcinoma cells and a pulmonary cancer mouse
model. The study confirmed that the platform is able to target cancer cells and
deliver drugs intracellularly upon NIR irradiation, achieving the effective elimination of the tumors through chemo/photothermal synergistic therapeutic effect. In a
similar way, Xiaojing Wang et al. [196] described the synthesis of modified DNASWCNTs with gold-decorated nanoparticles and a surface modification with PEG,
which achieve the selective photothermal ablation of cancer cells. These SWNT-AuPEG nanocomposites are optical theranostic probes for cancer treatment by PPT and
detectable by Raman spectroscopic imaging. Another study, carried out by Zhao and
coworkers [197], reports the coating of CNTs with polydopamine and further modification by PEG to chelate manganese, achieving contrast in MRI, and to label
131
I
enabling nuclear imaging and radioisotope cancer therapy. The system was tested
in vitro and in a mouse model of breast cancer, assessing radioisotope therapy in
combination with NIR-triggered photothermal treatment. Results revealed efficient
tumor accumulation of the nanotubes and confirmed a remarkable synergistic antitumor therapeutic effect.
4.4 Tissue Engineering Applications
The main clue in regeneration and construction of tissues is the development of a
suitable biological scaffold. In this context, owing to their unique characteristics and
properties, carbon nanotubes are emerging as smart nanomaterials for tissue engineering purposes. They are valued as ideal structures that can support and boost the
growth and proliferation of many different tissues [15].
202
Reprinted from the journal
1 3
the combined therapy compared to treatment with individual drug-conjugated nanocarriers or free drug suspensions (Fig. 10).
CNTs can also be coupled to other nanosystems with this purpose, such as magnetic particles, quantum dots, nanocomposites, etc. Zhang et al. [193] functionalized
magnetofluorescent MWCNTs for MRI/fluorescence imaging by adding a Gd complex doped with quantum dots. They also combined the nanotubes with doxorubicin
to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent. The nanotubes were intratumorally injected
in a preclinical model of adenocarcinoma, and visualized with photoacoustic imaging and magnetic resonance T1-weighted images. Using NIR absorption properties,
the authors carried out photothermal therapy in combination with selective release
of DOX in the tumor. In a similar way, Hou et al. [194] functionalized SWCNTs
with HA, DOX, and gadolinium to visualize with MRI the biodistribution of the
nanotubes and their antitumor effect in a preclinical model of breast cancer.
CNTs can also be used as theranostic dual contrast agents for fluorescence/MRI
and photothermal therapy, all in a system [195]. The authors So, Zhang, and colleagues reported the preparation of and in vitro and in vivo characterization of
MWCNT-magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots/DOX nanocomposites. They
validated the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities of the compounds with MRI and
fluorescent methodologies in adenocarcinoma cells and a pulmonary cancer mouse
model. The study confirmed that the platform is able to target cancer cells and
deliver drugs intracellularly upon NIR irradiation, achieving the effective elimination of the tumors through chemo/photothermal synergistic therapeutic effect. In a
similar way, Xiaojing Wang et al. [196] described the synthesis of modified DNASWCNTs with gold-decorated nanoparticles and a surface modification with PEG,
which achieve the selective photothermal ablation of cancer cells. These SWNT-AuPEG nanocomposites are optical theranostic probes for cancer treatment by PPT and
detectable by Raman spectroscopic imaging. Another study, carried out by Zhao and
coworkers [197], reports the coating of CNTs with polydopamine and further modification by PEG to chelate manganese, achieving contrast in MRI, and to label
131
I
enabling nuclear imaging and radioisotope cancer therapy. The system was tested
in vitro and in a mouse model of breast cancer, assessing radioisotope therapy in
combination with NIR-triggered photothermal treatment. Results revealed efficient
tumor accumulation of the nanotubes and confirmed a remarkable synergistic antitumor therapeutic effect.
4.4 Tissue Engineering Applications
The main clue in regeneration and construction of tissues is the development of a
suitable biological scaffold. In this context, owing to their unique characteristics and
properties, carbon nanotubes are emerging as smart nanomaterials for tissue engineering purposes. They are valued as ideal structures that can support and boost the
growth and proliferation of many different tissues [15].
202
Reprinted from the journal