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Fig. 2 | Cancer Nanotechnology

Fig. 2

From: Carboxylated graphene quantum dots-mediated photothermal therapy enhances drug-membrane permeability, ROS production, and the immune system recruitment on 3D glioblastoma models

Fig. 2

Mechanism of GQDs-mediated chemotherapy enhancement. A Laurdan confocal microscopy images of cells treated with GQDs. Scale bar 20 μm. B Quantification of the generalized polarization (GP) of glioblastoma cells after the treatment with GQDs. C Dose–response curve of doxorubicin (DOX), highlighting a concentration inhibiting 50% of cell growth (IC50) at 1 μM. D Mortality of glioblastoma cells after the combined treatment with GQDs and DOX at half of its IC50. E Quantification of the uptake of DOX inside glioblastoma cells. F Dose–response curve of doxorubicin (DOX), highlighting a concentration inhibiting 50% of cell growth (IC50) at 200 μg/mL. G Mortality of glioblastoma cells after the combined treatment with GQDs and TMZ at half of its IC50. H Proposed mechanism of action on the combined treatment between GQDs and anticancer drugs. GQDs tend to destabilize cell membrane, increasing membrane permeability. This allows a higher uptake of antitumor molecules, improving their efficacy. ***p < 0.01 one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test

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Cancer Nanotechnology

ISSN: 1868-6966

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