GSH-responsive biotinylated poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted GO as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery of camptothecin

Abstract

A water-soluble and biocompatible polymer, i.e. biotinylated poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted graphene oxide (GO), was used as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery of anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT). The extent of CPT release in the presence of glutathione (GSH) from GO–biotinPVA–CPT was monitored by the increase in the fluorescence intensity, at λ_max = 450 nm. The cell-specific (HeLa) antiproliferative activity of GO–biotinPVA–CPT makes it suitable to be used for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to cancerous cells.