CD44 receptor targeted ‘smart’ multi-walled carbon nanotubes for synergistic therapy of triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer requires high treatment specificity and efficacy due to its aggressive nature. In the present investigation, multi-walled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized using Hyaluronic acid (HA) and α-Tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS) and loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) to obtained novel α-TOS-HA-MWCNTs/Dox conjugate to achieve enhanced cellular-placement and anticancer-therapeutic action against CD44 receptors overexpressing TNBC cells (MDA-MB-231). Interestingly, α-TOS-HA-MWCNTs/Dox displayed high cellular uptake as compared to individually tailored MWCNTs formulations. Anticancer investigation revealed prominent growth inhibition effect (SRB assay; GI50; 0.810 ± 0.017; p