New highly fluorescent material for detection of anticancer drug Methotrexate (MTX) overdose

Source– This post is based on the article “New highly fluorescent material brings non-enzymatic approach for detection of anticancer drug Methotrexate known for toxicity at high dosage” published in “PIB” on 1st December 2023.

Why in the News?

Scientists of Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST) have developed a highly fluorescent material that can be used as a visual sensing platform for detecting the anti-cancer drug Methotrexate (MTX).

What is Methotrexate (MTX)?

1) Methotrexate belongs to a class of drugs known as antimetabolite.

2) It is used to treat various medical conditions, primarily cancers, autoimmune diseases, and certain inflammatory conditions.

3) The MTX overdose in blood plasma is hazardous if it remains in the system for more than 10 hours, resulting in poisoning effects on the lungs, ulcers of the stomach, and heart stroke.

What is this New highly fluorescent material for detection of MTX?

1. This highly fluorescent material has been developed using phosphorene, cystine, and gold (Ph-Cys-Au)

2. It has exceptional optical properties and thus can be used as a visual sensing platform for detecting the anti-cancer drug MTX over dosage.

What is the Significance of this discovery?

1) The materials are biocompatible with a good detection limit.

2) Tradition procedures for detecting overdosage of MTX are relatively more time consuming and involves complex instrumentation.

3) The nanocomposite exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity (quality of a substance to be toxic to cells in an artificial, controlled environment outside of a living organism) towards cancerous cells, but it was non-cytotoxic for non-cancerous cells.

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