Aim: To develop methotrexate (MTX) templated luminescent gold nanoclusters (NCs) as a single unit nanotheranostic for cancer therapy and to assess its potential as an alternative to the parent drug, for drug delivery vehicles (DDVs).
Methods: Theranostics were synthesized and extensively characterized. The stability of the theranostic and its bioimaging aptitude were evaluated. The antiproliferative propensity of the theranostic was gauged with cell viability assays and was supplemented with cytometry-based assays. Feasibility of delivering the MTX NCs instead of parent drug on a DDV was also checked.
Results: MTX NCs displayed remarkable physical characteristics and augmented cytotoxicity with a robust stability in phosphate-buffered saline and serum. MTX NCs also demonstrated their amenability to being loaded on a DDV (chitosan folic acid nanoparticles) while retaining their physical and cytotoxic profile.
Conclusion: Generation of next level drug-based theranostics with the potential of replacing the free drug in drug delivery platforms.
Keywords: MTX NCs; NPs; apoptosis; methotrexate; theranostic.