Grafting of CdTe quantum dots on thiol functionalized MCM-41 mesoporous silica for ⁶⁸Ga radiolabeling. Introducing a novel PET agent

Radiolabeled fluorescent nanocomposite, ⁶⁸Ga@CdTeQDs@SH-Propyl@MCM-41, was prepared. The prepared material was characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, radio-thin layer chromatography, field Emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N₂ adsorption and desorption measurements. In vivo biodistribution and tumor avidity of the nanoconposite was investigated among the organs of rats bearing fibro sarcoma tumor. The results showed that the mesoporous structure of MCM-41 after functionalization and grafting of quantum dots remains intact and the nanosilica can be labeled with ⁶⁸Ga radionuclide very fast. The results showed a rapid and high tumor uptake for ⁶⁸Ga@CdTeQDs@SH-Propyl@MCM-41 which revealed that the tumor uptake is modulated by size and character of the host. (author)