Apoferritin-encapsulated PbS quantum dots significantly inhibit growth of colorectal carcinoma cells.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the 3 most common cancer worldwide, thus development of novel therapeutic strategies is imperative. Herein potent, selective dose-dependent antitumor activity of horse spleen apoferritin encapsulated PbS quantum dots (AFt-PbS) against two human-derived colorectal carcinoma cell lines is reported (GI∼ 70 μg mL). Following in vitro exposure to AFt-PbS, CRC cells fail to recover proliferative capacity, and undergo apoptosis triggered by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).