Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots-chlorin e6 shows potential as a treatment for chondrosarcoma: an in vitro study.

Chondrosarcoma is the second-most malignant cancer of the bone and routine treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not responded to the treatment of this cancer. Due to the resistance of chondrosarcoma to radiotherapy, the combination of therapeutic methods has been considered in recent years. In this study, a novel combination approach is used that allows photodynamic therapy to be activated by X-rays. The synthesis of Mn-doped zinc sulphide (ZnS) quantum dots was carried out and chlorin e6 photosensitiser attached by covalent and non-covalent methods and their application as an intracellular light source for photodynamic activation was investigated. The toxicity of each nanoparticles was evaluated on chondrosarcoma cancer cells (SW1353) before and after radiation. Also, the effect nanoparticle-photosensitiser conjugated type was investigated in the therapeutic efficacy. The characterisation test (SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA, XRD and ICP analyses) was shown successful synthesis of Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots. Chondrosarcoma cancer cell viability was significantly reduced when cells were treated with MPA-capped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots-chlorin e6 with spermine linker and with covalent attachment (P ≤ 0.001). These results indicate that X-ray can activate the quantum dot complexes for cancer treatment, which can be a novel method for treatment of chondrosarcoma.