Application of Carbon-Based Nanocomposite Systems as Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Small, carbon-based nanoparticles, carbon dots (CDs), are investigated as photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy of cancers. The results presented here show biochemical changes in cancer cells treated with surface-modified CDs, which are augmented by illumination, indicating a high potential of CDs as selective drug carriers and potent PSs. In addition, we will show that CDs produced from black carrot extract (biomass) can be exploited for image-guided therapy and be cytotoxic for cancer cells, thanks to their fluorescence properties. Finally, since biomass-fabricated CDs interact strongly with nucleic acids, they can be further developed for cell cycle sensing purposes.