Atomically Precise Water-Soluble Graphene Quantum Dot for Cancer Sonodynamic Therapy

Although water-soluble graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have shown various promising bio-applications due to their intriguing optical and chemical properties, the large heterogeneity in compositions, sizes, and shapes of these GQDs hampers the better understanding of their structure-properties correlation and further uses in terms of large-scale manufacturing practices and safety concerns. It is shown here that a water-soluble atomically-precise GQD (WAGQD-C-96) is synthesized and exhibits a deep-red emission and excellent sonodynamic sensitization. By decorating sterically hindered water-soluble functional groups, WAGQD-C-96 can be monodispersed in water without further aggregation. The deep-red emission of WAGQD-C-96 facilitates the tracking of its bio-process, showing a good cell-uptake and long-time retention in tumor tissue. Compared to traditional molecular sonosensitizers, WAGQD-C-96 generates superior reactive oxygen species and demonstrates excellent tumor inhibition potency as an anti-cancer sonosensitizer in in vivo studies. A good biosafety of WAGQD-C-96 is validated in both in vitro and in vivo assays.

Automated summary

A water-soluble graphene quantum dot with deep-red emission and excellent sonodynamic sensitization has been synthesized. It can be dispersed in water without aggregation by decorating water-soluble functional groups. The deep-red emission allows for tracking its bio-process, showing good cell-uptake and long-term retention in tumor tissue. Compared to traditional sonosensitizers, it generates superior reactive oxygen species and exhibits excellent tumor inhibition potency. The biosafety of this graphene quantum dot has been validated in both in vitro and in vivo assays.