Theranostic nanoplatforms for anti-cancer applications

Multifunctional nanoparticles with enzyme-like behavior represent an emerging paradigm in theranostics. Concerning cancer nanomedicine, recent studies have shown the great potential of palladium (Pd) nanozyme for chemodynamic therapy, by the generation of endogenous chemicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) through their oxidase and peroxidase activities or by relieving the hypoxia of tumor microenvironment through their catalase or superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, with a potent antitumor effect that directly induces tumor cell death. In this thesis project, hybrid nanoplatforms made of Pd nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets will be prepared by the green reduction of PdCl2 in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizing agent. Physicochemical properties will be scrutinized by using UV-visible and Raman spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy, zeta-potential and hydrodynamic light scattering and, on the catalytic side, photocatalysis experiments of H2 evolution and antioxidant activities studies. Proof-of-work in vitro cell experiments on cancer and health cells will be carried out in terms of cytotoxicity (MTT assay), inhibition of cell migration (wound scratch test) and organelle perturbation (colocalization studies by confocal microscopy).