| Abstract [eng] |
Emerging evidence has shown that the capacity of a tumor to grow and propagate is dependent on a small subset of cells, termed “cancer stem cells“. Conventional treatments, however, may miss the cancer stem cells, which have been shown in several tumor types to be more resistant to standard chemotherapeutic agents, because the cancer stem cell survives and regenerates the neoplasm. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of quantum dots in detection and eradication of cancer stem cells. The properties of stem cells were inestigated in breast, pancreatic, ovarian cancer and melanoma cells. The accumulation and distribution of quantum dots was assessed by the means of laser scanning confocal and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. It was shown, that anti-CD44 and quantum dot conjugates are internalized selectively inside CD44+ cells, while anti-CD44 and organic dye FITC conjugates remained attached to cell membrane for at least 24 hours. Moreover, the complex of quantum dot (QD) and photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) accumulates inside cells and initiate cell death upon QD-directed exposure of 470 nm irradiation. These results show the capability of quantum dots not only to detect and internalize stem-like cells but also to carry the therapeutic agent inside cells without losing its activity. |
