Synthesis of self-targeted carbon nanodot for efficient cancer cell imaging and therapy.

[Display omitted] • Self-targeted fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have the potential for cancer cell imaging and therapy. • A new type of CD was synthesized via a hydrothermal method by using pemetrexed carbon precursor as an agonist of folate receptors. • Pemetrexed residues on CDs surface target folate receptors, allowing specific recognition and targeting of breast cancer cells. • CDs show dose-dependent cytotoxicity, potentially affecting tumor cell function and potentially causing cancer cell death in high concentrations. • This work highlights the potential diagnostic, targeting, and therapeutic functions of Self-targeted CDs. Carbon dots (CDs) possess a broad spectrum of applications in chemical, physical, and biomedical research. We are particularly intrigued by the utilization of CDs as fluorescence nanoparticles for the purpose of targeted imaging of tumor cells. Here, we have achieved the one-step synthesis of luminous CDs utilizing pemetrexed (PMX) as the carbon precursor in aqueous environment via the hydrothermal technique. The average size of CDs was about 3.4 nm. The CDs were internalized within 4T1and MCF-7 cell lines. The CDs wasn't exhibited toxicity in 4T1 cell line. However, an increase of co-localization of CDs, and the cytotoxic effects in high concentrations was observed in MCF-7 cells, which probably can result from the interaction of these nanoparticles with the folate receptor (FR). The presence of PMX residuals, analog with FA in CDs resulted in a remarkable ability to specifically target cancer cells and effectively enhance the cellular uptake mediated by FR. This achievement demonstrates significant potential for application in biological and bioimaging research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]