Fe-doped carbon dots: a novel biocompatible nanoplatform for multi-level cancer therapy

• Published in: Journal of nanobiotechnology Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 431
• Main Authors: Yang, Mingxi, Li, Haiqiu, Liu, Xinchen, Huang, Lei, Zhang, Boya, Liu, Kexuan, Xie, Wangni, Cui, Jing, Li, Daowei, Lu, Laijin, Sun, Hongchen, Yang, Bai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BioMed Central Ltd 17-11-2023; BMC
• Subjects: Anti-tumor; Antitumoral macrophages; Apoptosis; Cancer; Carbon dots; Care and treatment; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Fe-doping; Health aspects; Immunotherapy; Iron; Nanomedicine; Pharmaceutical research; Quantum dots; Technology application; China
• ISSN: 1477-3155; 1477-3155
• DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02194-6

Tumor treatment still remains a clinical challenge, requiring the development of biocompatible and efficient anti-tumor nanodrugs. Carbon dots (CDs) has become promising nanomedicines for cancer therapy due to its low cytotoxicity and easy customization. Herein, we introduced a novel type of "green" nanodrug for multi-level cancer therapy utilizing Fe-doped carbon dots (Fe-CDs) derived from iron nutrient supplement. With no requirement for target moieties or external stimuli, the sole intravenous administration of Fe-CDs demonstrated unexpected anti-tumor activity, completely suppressing tumor growth in mice. Continuous administration of Fe-CDs for several weeks showed no toxic effects in vivo, highlighting its exceptional biocompatibility. The as-synthesized Fe-CDs could selectively induce tumor cells apoptosis by BAX/Caspase 9/Caspase 3/PARP signal pathways and activate antitumoral macrophages by inhibiting the IL-10/Arg-1 axis, contributing to its significant tumor immunotherapy effect. Additionally, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was inhibited under the treatment of Fe-CDs by MAPK/Snail pathways, indicating the capacity of Fe-CDs to inhibit tumor recurrence and metastasis. A three-level tumor treatment strategy from direct killing to activating immunity to inhibiting metastasis was achieved based on "green" Fe-CDs. Our findings reveal the broad clinical potential of Fe-CDs as a novel candidate for anti-tumor nanodrugs and nanoplatform.