Cancer treatment currently focuses on radio-, chemo- and immune-therapeutic techniques; however, these treatments also show toxicity toward normal cells. Considering the massive side effects on patients from these treatments, it is essential to develop new techniques that are selective toward cancer cells. Nanomedicine was been widely investigated for targeted therapeutics. Recently, a new group of compounds, i.e. a Group of Materials Based on Organic Salts (GUMBOS), have been designed and are being studied for various applications. GUMBOS are organic salts based on the ionic liquid concept with melting points ranging from 25°C-250°C. Nanoparticles synthesized from GUMBOS, i.e. nanoGUMBOS, are recently being investigated for their potential chemotherapeutic applications. These nanoGUMBOS have several distinct advantages over conventional nanodrugs including ease of synthesis as well as elimination of drug loading. In this study, selective nanoGUMBOS were synthesized and the role of their internalization mechanism on their selective behavior was examined. Efficacy of variations in structures were also compared. TEM and DLS were used to characterize size and shape of the nanoGUMBOS. Cell viability assays in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy were used to determine the internalization mechanisms. Moreover, these studies aided in further understanding of the chemotherapeutic potential of these nanomaterials.

Biomedical applications of nanoGUMBOS

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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