Supramolecular assembly based on host–guest interaction between beta-cyclodextrin and adamantane for specifically targeted cancer imaging

[Display omitted] Accurate diagnosis of tumor and targeted drug delivery are prerequisites to effectively treat tumors with minimum side effects. In this study, beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and folic acid (FA) were combined as a flatform (CDPF) to effectively transport adamantane (ADM) and near-infrared fluorophore (NIRF) conjugate (ADM-NIRF) to tumor target site. Using a tumor-bearing xenograft mouse model, the supramolecular assembly exhibited excellent tumor targetability because the FA component could strongly bind to folate-receptors overexpressed in the membrane of MCF7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells compared to ADM-NIRF. These results indicate that CDPF-ADM-NIRF has potential as a tumor diagnosis agent for clinical use.