AUTHOR=Hao Ruixin , Luo Shanshan , Wang Feiyan , Pan Xinyu , Yao Jing , Wu Jielian , Fang Haihong , Li Wenkui 

TITLE=Enhancement of fluorescence and anti-tumor effect of ZnO QDs by La doping

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2022.1042038

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2022.1042038

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p>ZnO quantum dots (QDs) have received much attention as biomarkers and drug delivery systems in cancer treatment, due to their low cost, ease of preparation, and pH-responsive degradation. However, its applications are limited by the low quantum yield and light absorption. In this work, a lanthanum-doped zinc oxide (La-ZnO) QDs-based drug delivery platform was constructed. The results show that 4% La doping is the most beneficial for improving the fluorescent properties of the ZnO QDs. After loading the drug, the cell activity was 15% at ZnO@DOX and 12% at La-ZnO@DOX. According to <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> experiment results, the La-ZnO QDs show enhancement of the antitumor effect. Dual enhancement of fluorescence and anti-tumor effects make La-ZnO QDs promising as a drug delivery system in cancer treatment.</p>