Abstract

Nanometer-sized carbon carriers, hydrophilic carbon clusters (HCCs), have been developed for targeted drug delivery for cancer chemotherapy. In vitro and in vivo applications in head and neck, breast and brain (glioblastoma) cancers will be shown. The HCCs and related carbon nanoparticles are also potent and selective antioxidants, able to annihilate large amounts of superoxide while converting the superoxide to molecular oxygen with no downstream radical formation. Moreover, the nanoparicles do not react with the important vasodilator nitric oxide. Extensive in vitro, electron paramagnetic resonance and in vivo studies have been done. Applications in the treatment of traumatic brain injury/hemorrhagic shock and stroke will be discussed.