Co2+ Doped Biotinylated Carbon Dot: A Theranostic Agent for Target Specific Killing of Cancer Cells via Hypoxia Induced Apoptosis

Abstract

AbstractConventional cancer treatments have systematic side effects that stand against its desirable therapeutic efficacy. Alternative strategies using biochemical features of cancer cells to promote apoptosis are finding notable significance. One such important biochemical feature of malignant cells is hypoxia, alteration of which can lead to cell death. Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) has the key role in hypoxia generation. Herein, we synthesized biotinylated Co2+‐integrated carbon dot (CoCDb) that specifically diagnose and selectively killed cancer cells with 3–3.1‐fold higher efficiency over non‐cancer cells by hypoxia induced apoptosis in absence of traditional therapeutic intervention. Immunoblotting assay in CoCDb treated MDA‐MB‐231 cells confirmed the increased expression of HIF‐1α that was responsible for efficient killing of cancer cells. In 2D cells and 3D tumor spheroid, CoCDb treated cancer cells showed significant apoptosis that make CoCDb a potential theranostic agent.