P-057

Renata Karpicz

renata.karpicz@ftmc.lt

Martynas Zalieckas, Katsiaryna Charniakova, Hanna Maltanava, Nikita Belko, Polina Kuzhir

Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Lithuania 

Study of the optical properties of a carbon-based synthesized quantum dot and a compound with anticancer properties

Quinone-based drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX), daunorubicin, etc. are widely used in cancer chemotherapy. Their use has adverse side effects such as dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. This has led to the development of controllable nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems that allow for the targeted release of drugs at specific locations. Potential candidates for the development of such systems, heavy metal-free carbon-based quantum dots, such as: graphene quantum dots (GQD), carbon quantum dots (CQD), carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQD), are receiving increasing attention. Carbon based quantum dots, with advanced surface functionalization and luminescent properties that allow the control of the intracellular location of nanocarrier-drug complexes, are a promising nanostructured material for theranostics, as they can simultaneously provide imaging and therapeutic effects. Theranostic agents must meet several requirements. The most important condition is that it delivers the medicine to the target. To do this, it must be soluble in water and stable under physiological conditions. The nanocomplex must be biocompatible. It is highly desirable that it can be tracked optically to monitor its pharmacodynamics and accumulation in cancer tissue. 

In this study, we focus to investigate the stability and optical properties of carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQD) and compounds with anticancer properties using spectroscopic methods. (CNQDs) were synthesized using hydrothermal synthesis from urea/thiourea and citric acid. Currently the obtained samples were characterized by measuring absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence decay times and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The interaction of these quantum dots with doxorubicin and other studies will be optically investigated in the future.

This work was supported by the Horizon Europe FLORIN project (No. 101086142) and the Research Council of Lithuania (Grant No. S-MIP-23-70).El