Functionalized europium-doped hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres as a cell imaging and drug delivery agents

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2023 Sep 24:674:1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.06.082. Epub 2023 Jun 26.

Abstract

In an effort to enhance the antitumor efficacy of breast cancer treatment, the chemotherapeutic agent Paclitaxel (PTX) was encapsulated within hyaluronic acid (HA) modified hollow mesoporous silica (HMSNs). In vitro drug release assays showed that the resulting formulation, Eu-HMSNs-HA-PTX, exhibited enzyme-responsive drug release. In addition, cell cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays demonstrated the favorable biocompatibility of both Eu-HMSNs and Eu-HMSNs-HA. Notably, compared to Eu-HMSNs alone, Eu-HMSNs-HA showed enhanced accumulation within CD44-expressing cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). As anticipated, apoptosis experiments indicated that Eu-HMSNs-HA-PTX displayed significantly greater cytotoxicity toward MDA-MB-231 cells than non-targeted Eu-HMSNs-PTX and free PTX. In conclusion, Eu-HMSNs-HA-PTX demonstrated excellent anticancer effects and holds promise as a potent candidate for the efficient therapy of breast cancer.

Keywords: Eu-doped hollow silica nanoparticle; Hyaluronic acid; Paclitaxel; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Europium* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid* / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles* / ultrastructure
  • Paclitaxel* / pharmacology
  • Silicon Dioxide* / chemistry

Substances

  • Europium
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Paclitaxel
  • Biocompatible Materials