Using molecular dynamics simulation to explore the binding of the three potent anticancer drugs sorafenib, streptozotocin, and sunitinib to functionalized carbon nanotubes.

The adsorption of the anticancer drugs sorafenib (SF), streptozotocin (STZ), and sunitinib (STB) on pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs, functionalized with valine or phenylalanine moieties) was investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. Descriptors such as the van der Waals (vdW) energy, the number of hydrogen bonds, and the radial distribution function were considered. It was found that the type of functional group on the nanotube is a key influence on the vdW interaction energy between a drug molecule and a nanotube. In addition, the positions of the functional groups on a nanotube are a key influence on the adsorption of drug molecules on its surface. Our study indicated that the adsorption of STZ on CNT/FCNTs involves a partial π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding, whereas SF and STB are adsorbed on CNT/FCNTs through π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding. Our results suggest that altering the functionalization of the nanotube surface can affect the drug-nanotube interaction. The results reported here should aid attempts to optimize the design of novel CNT-based drug carriers.