apollo tech in depth
ApolloQD's Quantum Dots
Quantum dots are nanoscale crystals often known as man-made molecules. They have excellent photo-optic properties, and in conjunction with their size, they can be fitted and suited for direct delivery systems of specifically chemotherapeutic drugs. For ApolloQD, these properties will be utilized to construct a quantum dot bioconjugate (QDBC) for direct delivery of chemo drugs cyclophosphamide and fludarabine to treat CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia).
ApolloQD's Quantum Dot Bioconjugates
In order for quantum dots to even stand a chance in the space of direct delivery, they must be biologically conjugated, which means being built upon and somewhat "fused" with organic materials. These organic materials include ligands, liposomes, antibodies, and nuclear localization sequences (NLS)...
- Ligands - "drives" the system to where it needs to go; in Apollo's case, to the leukemic cancer cells; on the outer layer.
- Liposomes - encapsulates the system in addition to the quantum dot for biosafety; maintains CC in position until exit.
- Antibodies - fights off foreign invaders within the body; by being in the QDBC, it prevents immune response to protect the QDBC from the immune system and enzymatic erosion.
- NLS - nuclear localization sequences are amino acids that "drive" things into the nucleus; by attaching to the CC (compound chemotherapy), they can be more actively neutralizing the cancer cells.
ApolloQD's QDBC DDS
By utilizing these quantum dots in treating leukemia, we must first understand the process by which this would occur with our bioconjugate system. There are 5 main steps...
- The quantum dot bioconjugate (using targeting ligands of ZAP-70 and CD-38 proteins) identifies and attaches to the receptors of cancerous lymphocytes.
- The QDBC then enters the cell where the surrounding liposome is lysed by the enzymes of the cell.
- The CC is released, and using nuclear localization sequences...
- The CC enters the nucleus where the cancer cell is neutralized as the CC drugs contain "DNA destroyers".
- The remaining quantum dot attaches itself to a sub-cellular labeling platform to monitor the progress of treatment.