ABSTRACT
Cancer cells have higher heat sensitivity compared to normal cells; therefore, hyperthermia is a promising approach for cancer therapy because of its ability to selectively kill cancer cells by heating them. However, the specific and rapid heating of tumor tissues remains challenging. This study investigated the potential of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) modified with tumor-homing peptides (THPs), specifically PL1 and PL3, for tumor-specific magnetic hyperthermia therapy. The synthesis of THP-modified MNPs involved the attachment of PL1 and PL3 peptides to the surface of the MNPs, which facilitated enhanced tumor cell binding and internalization. Cell specificity studies revealed an increased uptake of PL1- and PL3-MNPs by tumor cells compared to unmodified MNPs, indicating their potential for targeted delivery. In vitro hyperthermia experiments demonstrated the efficacy of PL3-MNPs in inducing tumor cell death when exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Even without exposure to an AMF, an additional ferroptotic pathway was suggested to be mediated by the nanoparticles. Thus, this study suggests that THP-modified MNPs, particularly PL3-MNPs, hold promise as a targeted approach for tumor-specific magnetic hyperthermia therapy.
Subject(s)
Hyperthermia, Induced , Magnetite Nanoparticles , Peptides , Hyperthermia, Induced/methods , Humans , Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry , Peptides/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/pathology , Magnetic FieldsABSTRACT
Combination therapy for cancer is expected for the synergetic effect of different treatments, and the development of promising carrier materials is demanded for new therapeutics. In this study, nanocomposites including functional nanoparticles (NPs) such as samarium oxide NP for radiotherapy and gadolinium oxide NP as a magnetic resonance imaging agent were synthesized and chemically combined with iron oxide NP-embedded or carbon dot-coating iron oxide NP-embedded carbon nanohorn carriers, where iron oxide NP is a hyperthermia reagent and carbon dot exerts effects on photodynamic/photothermal treatments. These nanocomposites exerted potential for delivery of anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and camptothecin) even after being coated with poly(ethylene glycol). The co-delivery of these anticancer drugs played better drug-release efficacy than the independent drug delivery, and the thermal and photothermal procedures enlarged the drug release. Thus, the prepared nanocomposites can be expected as materials to develop advanced medication for combination treatment.
