Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials have attracted research interest owing to their intriguing properties, which may offer new diagnostic options with triggering features, able to realize a new kind of tunable nanotherapeutics. Hybrid silica/melanin nanoparticles (NPs) containing silver seeds (Me-laSil_Ag-HSA NPs) disclosed relevant photoacoustic contrast for molecular imaging. In this study we explored therapeutic function in the same nanoplatform. For this purpose, MelaSil_Ag-HSA were loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) (MelaSil_Ag-HSA@DOX) and tested to assess the efficiency of drug delivery combined with concurrent photothermal treatment. The excellent photothermal properties allowed enhanced cytotoxic activity at significantly lower doses than neat chemotherapeutic treatment. The results revealed that MelaSil_Ag-HSA@DOX is a promising platform for an integrated photothermal (PT) chemotherapy approach, reducing the efficacy concentration of the DOX and, thus, potentially limiting the several adverse side effects of the drug in in vivo treatments.
Highlights
One of the most demanding challenges in cancer treatment is developing effective and safe strategies to achieve a targeted therapy [1,2,3,4,5]
The binding between doxorubicin (DOX) and human serum albumin (HSA) is due to a static quenching mechanism through hydrophobic interactions and it is confirmed by the fluorescence decrease of a tryptophan residue (Trp-214) present in the DOX binding site of the protein [20]
In a breast cancer (BC) in vitro model, the system MelaSil_Ag-HSA NPs loaded with DOX and, subsequently, we explored their chemo- and photothermal efficiency
Summary
One of the most demanding challenges in cancer treatment is developing effective and safe strategies to achieve a targeted therapy [1,2,3,4,5]. Doxorubicin (DOX), a potent topoisomerase II inhibitor that stalls cell cycle reducing cancer cell growth, is still one of the most used drugs to test new therapeutic approaches in various cancers, including breast cancer (BC) [9,10], the most frequent and dangerous female malignancy [11,12]. Combining conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy, with site-specific hyperthermia is an emerging strategy to improve cancer treatment [13,14]. Among several classes of compounds, melanins [17] have shown good photothermal properties and ease of functionalization, representing promising bioinspired materials for tuning multifunctional therapeutic agents
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
