Anti-Tumor Effect of a Novel DOX/GA-CdTe QD was Mediated by Apoptotic and Autophagic Cell Death

Burkitt’s lymphoma is a highly proliferative B-cell malignancy characterized by MYC oncogene translocation. Intensive short-cycle chemotherapy could effectively improve the outcome of this disease. However, drug resistance limits the treatment of refractory/relapsed disease. Thus, we constructed and investigated a novel cadmium–tellurium quantum dot conjugated with doxorubicin and gambogic acid (DOX/GA-CdTe QDs) for cancer cell combined treatment in Raji, a Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line. Results showed that DOX/GA-CdTe QDs could significantly improve anti-tumor effects compared with drugs alone in the Raji cell line. Flow cytometry, transmission electron micrographs and overexpression of Beclin1 and LC3 II/I showed that apoptosis and autophagy were involved in the process. However, DOX/GA-CdTe QDs did not cause cell cycle arrest, whereas DOX alone or combined with GA could cause apparent G2/M phase arrest. Hence, the novel DOX/GA-CdTe QDs offer a promising approach of drug delivery into cancer cells.