Warburg Effect-Driven Photothermal Therapy of Tumors using Glycosylated β-C₃N₄ Carbon Nanodots

Alice Sciortino – Researcher, Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo; Radian Popescu – Researcher, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Riccardo Rubino – PhD student, Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo; Yolita M. Eggeler – Assistant Professor, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Marco Cannas – Full Professor, University of Palermo; Fabrizio Messina – Full Professor, Fisica e Chimica - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo; Nicolò Mauro – Associate Professor, Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo; Gennara Cavallaro – Full Professor, Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo

Introduction:

Harnessing nanomaterials that convert light into heat enables non-invasive, selective cancer treatment via photothermal therapy (PTT), with therapeutic outcomes strongly dependent on the achieved temperature¹. Carbon nanodots (CDs) are emerging as efficient, biocompatible PTT agents that combine heat generation with intrinsic fluorescence, enabling theranostic applications. Surface engineering with glucose derivatives enhances nanoparticles' selectivity towards tumor cells, leveraging on the peculiar glucose metabolism of cancer, known as the Warburg effect². This study explores the application of glycosylated CDs for tailorable PTT of triple-negative breast cancer.