Targeting and hyperthermia of doxorubicin by the delivery of single-walled carbon nanotubes to EC-109 cells

A targeting and photothermal drug delivery system of doxorubicin (DOX) was successfully developed based on the AS1411 aptamer modified single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). In this study, DOX was efficiently loaded onto SWNTs (DOX-AS1411-SWNTs) with drug loading of 121% and released from DOX-AS1411-SWNTs in a pH-dependent manner. Internalization analysis demonstrated that the tertiary complex (DOX-AS1411-SWNTs) could transfer into the cell through the AS1411-mediated endocytosis in 2 h. Moreover, the cytotoxicity test of DOX-AS1411-SWNTs showed higher inhibition effect on EC-109 cells compared to DOX control group. Meanwhile, 808 nm near-infrared laser was used here for photothermal treatment, and AS1411-SWNTs were proved to have a strong efficacy on tumor hyperthermia. Furthermore, with a focus on the G2-M phase, we found DOX-AS1411-SWNTs capable of altering G2-M cell-cycle phase, owing to the hyperthermia and synergistic effect.