Antitumor Effect of GO-PEG-DOX Complex on EMT-6 Mouse Breast Cancer Cells.

Objective: Doxorubicin (DOX) can be used to treat malignant tumors, but with multiple adverse effects. Graphene oxide-polyethylene glycol (GO-PEG) is a novel nanoscale carrier material and can elevate solubility and biocompatibility of drugs. This study prepared a GO-PEG-DOX complex, whose toxicity and antitumor effects were evaluated on mouse EMT-6 breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: GO-PEG-DOX complex was prepared for calculating the drug carrier rate of DOX on GO-PEG by MV approach. EMT-6 cells were treated with 40g/mL GO-PEG, 1g/mL DOX, or 40g/mL +1g/mL GO-PEG-DOX for 72h of incubation. Cells without treatment were considered the control group. Cell survival rate and apoptotic rate were tested at different time points. Results: GO-PEG and GO-PEG-DOX complex were successfully prepared with satisfactory solubility. After 72h of incubation, EMT-6 cells after GO-PEG-DOX treatment had significantly higher survival rate than GO-PEG group (p<0.05). All three treatment groups had significantly elevated apoptotic rates than control group (p<0.05). GO-PEG-DOX group had much more apoptosis (p<0.05 compared with DOX group). Moreover, with elongated treatment time, all groups showed decreased survival rate (p<0.05). Conclusion: GO-PEG did not reduce the cytotoxicity of DOX on EMT-6 cells. GO-PEG-DOX complex can increase the water solubility and targeting sensitivity of DOX, with facilitating effects on DOX-induced tumor cell apoptosis.