The therapeutic efficacy of CdTe and CdSe quantum dots for photothermal cancer therapy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.06.062
• Publication Date: 2012-07-18T20:21:47Z
• Authors: Maoquan Chu; Xiaojing Pan; Ding Zhang; Qiang Wu; Jinliang Peng; Wangxi Hai
• Keywords: Mice, Inbred BALB C; Optics and Photonics; Skin Neoplasms; Time Factors; Light; Photochemistry; Lasers; Temperature; 02 engineering and technology; 3. Good health; Mice; Liver; Cell Line, Tumor; Quantum Dots; Cadmium Compounds; Animals; Humans; Tellurium; Reactive Oxygen Species; Selenium Compounds; 0210 nano-technology; Melanoma

Fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) used for biomedical imaging and diagnostics have attracted considerable attention over the past decade. Here, we report our finding regarding the therapeutic efficacy of the popularly used red/brown, brown or close to black CdTe and CdSe QDs. Upon 671-nm laser irradiation, these QDs can rapidly convert light energy into heat, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the growth of mouse melanoma tumors injected with CdTe(710) QDs coated with a silica shell (SiO(2)) was significantly inhibited after laser irradiation, with eventual disappearance of the tumor. In contrast, tumors injected with the silica-coated QDs without subsequent irradiation continued to grow over time. They had a growth rate close to that of tumors injected with SiO(2) or phosphate-buffered saline, with or without laser irradiation. In conclusion, our data suggest that the popularly used CdTe and CdSe QDs have great potential in the treatment of cancer using photothermal therapy.