Antibody-targeted nanovectors for the treatment of brain cancers

Introduced here is the hydrophilic carbon clusters (HCCs) antibody drug enhancement system (HADES), a methodology for cell-specific drug delivery. Antigen-targeted, drug-delivering nanovectors are manufactured by combining specific antibodies with drug-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-HCCs (PEG-HCCs). We show that HADES is highly modular, as both the drug and antibody component can be varied for selective killing of a range of cultured human primary glioblastoma multiforme. Using three different chemotherapeutics and three different antibodies, without the need for covalent bonding to the nanovector, we demonstrate extreme lethality toward glioma, but minimal toxicity toward human astrocytes and neurons.