Targeted delivery of doxorubicin for the treatment of bone metastasis from breast cancer using alendronate-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets

Selective delivery of anti-cancer drugs to bone tumors remains an on-going developmental issue due to problems of drug availability and the physiological nature of bone. This study was undertaken to enhance accumulation of doxorubicin (DOX) in bone metastasis microenvironments using alendronate-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets (NGO-ALs). In vivo biodistribution study showed NGO-ALs were retained for longer and at higher concentrations in bone tumor areas than non-functionalized NGOs. Our findings suggest that NGO-ALs could be used as a promising carrier to enhance antitumor effects and diminish the off-target effects of DOX for the treatment of bone metastasis. (C) 2019 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.