2D exfoliated black phosphorus influences healthy and cancer prostate cell behaviors

Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 12;11(1):5856. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-85310-6.

Abstract

Nowadays, prostate cancer is the most widespread tumour in worldwide male population. Actually, brachytherapy is the most advanced radiotherapy strategy for the local treatment of prostate cancer. It consists in the placing of radioactive sources closed to the tumour side thus killing cancer cells. However, brachytherapy causes the same adverse effects of external-beam radiotherapy. Therefore, alternative treatment approaches are required for enhancing radiotherapy effectiveness and reducing toxic symptoms. Nanostructured exfoliated black phosphorus (2D BP) may represent a strategic tool for local cancer therapy because of its capability to induce singlet oxygen production and act as photosensitizer. Hence, we investigated 2D BP in vitro effect on healthy and cancer prostate cell behavior. 2D BP was obtained through liquid exfoliation. 2D BP effect on healthy and cancer prostate cell behaviors was analyzed by investigating cell viability, oxidative stress and inflammatory marker expression. 2D BP inhibited prostate cancer cell survival, meanwhile promoted healthy prostate cell survival in vitro by modulating oxidative stress and immune response with and without near-infrared light (NIR)-irradiation. Nanostructured 2D BP is able to inhibit in vitro prostate cancer cells survival and preserve healthy prostate cell vitality through the control of oxidative stress and immune response, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Count
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Shape / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Nitrites / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Phosphorus / pharmacology*
  • Prostate / drug effects
  • Prostate / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nitrites
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Phosphorus