Anti-Cancer Potency of Copper-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Against Breast Cancer Progression

Introduction: The anti-cancer potency of copper-doped carbon quantum dots (Cu-CDs) against breast cancer progression needs more detailed investigations. Methods: With urea and ethylene glycol applied as carbon sources and copper sulfate used as a reactive dopant, Cu-CDs were synthesized in the current study by a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method, followed by the characterization and biocompatibility evaluations of Cu-CDs. Subsequently, the anti-cancer potency of Cu-CDs against breast cancer progression was confirmed by these biochemical, molecular, and transcriptomic assessments, including viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, adhesion, clonogenicity, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, redox homeostasis, and transcriptomic assays of MDA-MB-231 cells. Results: The biocompatibility of Cu-CDs was confirmed based on the non-significant changes in the pathological and physiological parameters in the Cu-CDs treated mice, as well as the noncytotoxic effect of Cu-CDs on normal cells. Moreover, the Cu-CDs treatments not only decreased the viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, adhesion, and clonogenicity of MDA-MB-231 cells but also induced the redox imbalance, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells via ameliorating the mitochondrial dysfunctions and regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the biosafety and excellent anti-cancer potency of Cu-CDs against breast cancer progression by tapping into mechanisms that disrupt malignant behaviors and oxidative homeostasis of breast cancer cells. Keywords: copper, carbon quantum dots, breast cancer, oxidative stress, MAPK signaling pathway