Functionalized graphene oxide-based thermosensitive hydrogel for near-infrared chemo-photothermal therapy on tumor

Purpose A functionalized graphene oxide-based thermosensitive hydrogel loaded with docetaxel for intratumoral delivery was designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and alleviate system toxicity. Methods First, graphene oxide was functionalized with chitosan to acquire high stability in physiological solutions. And then docetaxel–graphene oxide/chitosan gel was formed by mixed docetaxel–graphene oxide/chitosan suspension with hydrogel which was made from Poloxamer 407 and Poloxamer 188. Cellular uptake, antitumor effect in vitro and in vivo, cell apoptosis, and biodistribution of docetaxel–graphene oxide/chitosan gel were investigated, compared with the docetaxel solution. Results Graphene oxide/chitosan was stable in physiological solution, and docetaxel released much slower from docetaxel–graphene oxide/chitosan gel with a pH-responsive feature. Compared with free docetaxel, docetaxel–graphene oxide/chitosan could afford higher antitumor efficacy in Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells in vitro. Furthermore, docetaxel–grapheme oxide/chitosan gel which was injected within tumor could afford higher concentration and longer resident time in tumor tissues of mice in vivo, without obvious toxic effects to normal organs. Meanwhile, the combination of near-infrared laser irradiation at 808 nm significantly enhanced tumor inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Docetaxel–graphene oxide/chitosan gel in combination with 808 nm near-infrared laser irradiation had great potential for cancer chemo-photothermal therapy.