Combined Phycocyanin and Hematoporphyrin Monomethyl Ether for Breast Cancer Treatment via Photosensitizers Modified Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Inhibiting the Proliferation and Migration of MCF-7 Cells

Biomacromolecules. 2018 Jan 8;19(1):31-41. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01197. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), combining the laser and photosensitizers to kill tumor cells, has the potential to address many current medical requirements. In this study, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were first employed as cores and modified with oleic acid (OA) and 3-triethoxysilyl-1-propanamine. Then, the photosensitizers phycocyanin (PC) and hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME), which might be able to stimulate the cell release of reactive oxygen species after the irradiation of a near-infrared (NIR) laser, were grafted on the surface of such nanoparticles. Our results revealed the high-efficiency inhibition of breast cancer MCF-7 cells growing upon near-infrared irradiation both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, it was the synergy between the natural photosensitizers PC and the synthetic photosensitizers HMME that deeply influenced such inhibition compared to the groups that used either of these medicines alone. To utilize the combination of different photosensitive agents, our study thus provides a new strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Hematoporphyrins / administration & dosage
  • Hematoporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Hematoporphyrins / therapeutic use*
  • Hematoporphyrins / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Infrared Rays
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / toxicity
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry*
  • Phycocyanin / administration & dosage
  • Phycocyanin / pharmacology
  • Phycocyanin / therapeutic use*
  • Phycocyanin / toxicity

Substances

  • Hematoporphyrins
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether
  • Phycocyanin