▎ 摘　　要

Background: Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent cancer that affects infants. It arises from neural crest elements of the sympathetic nervous system. Accurate medical diagnostic techniques are required to achieve targeted treatment. Methods: Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were synthesized using a classic hydrothermal method. The N-GQDs were further coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG): branched polyethylenimine (b-PEI) to form PEG:b-PEI@N-GQDs (P@N-GQDs). The P@N-GQDs were coupled with an anti-GD2 antibody to form Ab-GD2@P@N-GQDs, which were then visualized using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS). The structure, optical properties, and in vivo imaging performance of the fluorescent markers were investigated. Significant findings: The P@N-GQDs had an irregular circular shape with 10.6 +/- 1.7 nm diameter. The PL emission of P@N-GQDs was extended from 450 +/- 10 to 550 +/- 10 nm. The visibility of P@N-GQDs in the IVIS spectrum was also improved, enhancing the signal to 1.83 times that achieved by N-GQDs in vivo. The Ab-GD2-P@N-GQDs accumulated in cancer cells, and the maximum fluorescence intensity in the dissected tumor was 6.72 x 10 7 . The proposed probe successfully targeted neuroblastoma and has great potential as a gene carrier. (C) 2021 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.