Abstract
Design and synthesis of novel targeting agents specific to lung cancer are important for the assessment of lung functions and monitoring of disease progression. Peptide-influences graphene quantum dots (GQDs)/iron oxide nanoparticles exhibit a high affinity to bind αv integrins
on the lung cancer cells. We have strategically designed and synthesized peptide-influenced GQDs/iron oxide nanoparticles with 105 nm in diameter for targeted for imaging. GQDs were conjugated with heparin (Hep) and subsequently anchored on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles. Finally
the nanostructures were functionalized with a tumor penetrating peptide, iRGD (sequence, C-Ahx-C-R-G-D-K-G-P-D-C (C3-C11, C1 free), which is known to be mediated by αv integrins, that are widely expressed on the surface of lung cancer cells. The degradability and biocompatibility
of iRGD-bearing GQDs conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that GQDs retain their spectroscopic and functional properties for fluorescence imaging and the core iron oxide nanoparticles offered the functions of magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) whereas the iRGD moiety helped in targeting the cancer cells. This strategically engineered single particle platform was found to be suitable for targeting in vitro and in vivo dual mode fluorescence imaging and MRI of nude mice loaded with lung cancer
and may also be effective for other tumor types.