Self-Assembled Graphene–Dextran Nanohybrid for Killing Drug-Resistant Cancer Cells

A nanohybrid based on nanoscale graphene oxide (NGO) and dextran has been designed and employed for effectively killing drug-resistant MCF-7/ADR cells. This graphene-based nanohybrid was readily prepared through π–π interaction of NGO and hematin-terminated dextran (HDex), being denoted as NGO–HDex. It revealed an improved stability in physiological conditions as compared to native NGO. Besides, NGO–HDex could efficiently load doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug, with drug loading capacity of 3.4 mg/mg NGO and liberate the drug with a pH-dependent profile. Cell viability assay indicated that the NGO–HDex displayed lower cytotoxicity against MCF-7/ADR cells as compared to native NGO. DOX-loaded NGO–HDex, however, revealed more efficient killing effect in the cells than free DOX because the nanohybrid caused a higher amount of DOX accumulated in the cells. The results of this study highlight that the NGO–HDex has high potential for killing drug-resistant cancer cells.