https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3754-5712
![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The application of doxorubicin (DOX) in cancer therapy has been limited due to its drug resistance and poor internalization. Graphene oxide (GO) nanostructures have the capacity for DOX delivery while promoting its cytotoxicity in cancer.
Areas covered
The favorable characteristics of GO nanocomposites, preparation method, and application in cancer therapy are described. Then, DOX resistance in cancer, GO-mediated photothermal therapy, and DOX delivery for cancer suppression are described. Preparation of stimuli-responsive GO nanocomposites, surface functionalization, hybrid nanoparticles, and theranostic applications are emphasized in DOX chemotherapy.
Expert opinion
GO nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy maximizes the anti-cancer activity of DOX against cancer cells. Besides DOX delivery, GO nanomaterials are capable of loading anti-cancer agents and genetic tools to minimize drug resistance and enhance the cytolytic impact of DOX in cancer eradication. To enhance DOX accumulation, stimuli-responsive (redox-, light-, enzyme- and pH-sensitive) GO nanoparticles have been developed for DOX delivery. Development of targeted delivery of DOX-loaded GO nanomaterials against cancer cells may be achieved by surface modification of polymers such as polyethylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan. DOX-loaded GO nanoparticles have demonstrated theranostic potential. Hybridization of GO with other nanocarriers such as silica and gold nanoparticles further broadens their potential anti-cancer therapy applications.
Graphical abstract: The graphene oxide nanomaterials for doxorubicin delivery in improving its cytotoxicity, providing a platform for co-delivery, theranostic application and preventing drug resistance development
Article highlights
The doxorubicin (DOX) resistance leads to chemotherapy failure in cancer patients
Delivery of DOX using nanomaterials is of importance for effective cancer chemotherapy
Graphene oxide nanomaterials (GO-NMs) mediate targeted delivery of DOX and prevent drug resistance
GO-NMs provide co-delivery of DOX with other anti-cancer drugs and genetic tools
GO-NMs can be employed for both imaging and therapy
This box summarizes key points contained in the article.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (#141635, #144159, #153081, #173338) (YW), Terry Fox Research Institute (#1062) (Y Wang), Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE-T2EP30120-0016), the National Research Foundation Singapore and the Singapore Ministry of Education under its Research Center of Excellence initiative to Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, and National University of Singapore (AP Kumar). E Mostafavi would like to acknowledge the support from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (5T32EB009035).
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.