Graphene Oxide Based Fluorescent DNA Aptasensor for Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Graphene oxide (GO)-based fluorescent DNA aptasensors are promising nanomaterials in bioassays owing to the fluorescent ultrasensitivity and target identification ability. However, their in vivo application remains an appealing yet significantly challenging task. In this contribution, for the first time, a nanomaterial for in vivo diagnosis and therapy of liver tumors is demonstrated. A DNA nanomaterial consisting of DNA tetrahedron and aptamers, aggregation-induced emission luminogens, and antitumor drug doxorubicin, is fabricated and attached on the GO surface. This developed hybrid with good biocompatibility exhibits high selectivity to target liver cancer cells, and performs well in in vitro and in vivo liver tumor fluorescence imaging diagnosis and chemotherapy. Additionally, a GO-based fluorescent DNA nanodevice is also constructed by using microfluidic chips for liver tumor cell screening.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a new nanomaterial for in vivo diagnosis and therapy of liver tumors, which has good biocompatibility and high selectivity, and performs well both in vitro and in vivo.