Folate-based near-infrared fluorescent theranostic gemcitabine delivery

Zhigang Yang, Jae Hong Lee, Hyun Mi Jeon, Ji Hye Han, Nayoung Park, Yanxia He, Hyunseung Lee, Kwan Soo Hong, Chulhun Kang, Jong Seung Kim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    200 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A series of heptamethine cyanine (1-3) derivatives bearing a carbamate ethyl disulfide group and gemcitabine, an anticancer drug, have been newly synthesized. Their disulfide bonds are readily cleaved by various thiols including glutathione, to result in a subsequent decomposition of the carbamate into amine followed by release of the active gemcitabine, which can be monitored by the fluorescence changes. In the biological experiment, prodrug 1 is preferentially up-taken by folate-positive KB cells over folate-negative A549 cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis to release gemcitabine causing cell death and to emit fluorescence in endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, it is selectively accumulated in the KB cells which were treated to mice by dorsal subcutaneous injection. This drug delivery system is a new theranostic agent, wherein both therapeutic effect and drug uptake can be easily monitored at the subcellular level, by in vivo and in vitro fluorescence imaging.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)11657-11662
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
    Volume135
    Issue number31
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013 Aug 7

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Catalysis
    • General Chemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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