Combining Carbon Nanotubes and Chitosan for the Vectorization of Methotrexate to Lung Cancer Cells.

A hybrid system composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated with chitosan was proposed as a pH-responsive carrier for the vectorization of methotrexate to lung cancer. The effective coating of the carbon nanostructure by chitosan, quantified (20% by weight) by thermogravimetric analysis, was assessed by combined scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (N1 signal), respectively. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the interaction between polysaccharide and carbon counterparts.

Switching Molecular Conformation with the Torque on a Single Magnetic Moment.

For the endohedral fullerene molecule HoLu_{2}N@C_{80}, it is shown that the endohedral HoLu_{2}N unit may be oriented in a magnetic field. The Ho magnetic moment is fixed in the strong ligand field and aligns along the holmium-nitrogen axis. The torque of a magnetic field on the Ho magnetic moment leads to a hopping bias of the endohedral unit inclining to an orientation parallel to the externally applied field.

Systematic evaluation of oligodeoxynucleotide binding and hybridization to modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Background: In addition to conventional chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid-based therapeutics like antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) represent a novel approach for the treatment of bladder cancer (BCa). An efficient delivery of AS-ODN to the urothelium and then into cancer cells might be achieved by the local application of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In the present study, pristine MWCNT and MWCNT functionalized with hydrophilic moieties were synthesized and then investigated regarding their physicochemical characteristics, dispersibility, biocompatibility, cellular uptake and mucoadhesive properties.

Characterization of different carbon nanotubes for the development of a mucoadhesive drug delivery system for intravesical treatment of bladder cancer.

In order to increase the effectiveness of therapeutics for bladder carcinoma (BCa) treatment, alternative strategies for intravesical applications are needed. The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as basis for a multifunctional drug transporter is a promising possibility to combine traditional chemotherapeutics with innovative therapeutic agents such as antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or small interfering RNA. In the current study four CNT types varying in length and diameter (CNT-1, CNT-2, CNT-3, CNT-4) were synthesized and then characterized with different spectroscopic techniques.

Functionalized carbon nanotubes as transporters for antisense oligodeoxynucleotides.

The use of DNA-based therapeutics requires efficient delivery systems to transport the DNA to their place of action within the cell. To accomplish this, we investigated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (pristine MWCNT, p-MWCNT) functionalized with hydroxyl groups via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. In this way, we have obtained MWCNT-f-OH with improved stability in aqueous dispersions which is an advantageous property for their use in cellular environments.