Magnetoliposomes based on magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles loaded with tricyclic lactones for combined cancer therapy

• Published in: Pharmaceutics 2021-11, Vol.13 (11)
• Main Authors: Rio, Irina Soraia Rainho, Rodrigues, Ana Rita Oliveira, Rodrigues, Juliana M., Queiroz, Maria João R. P., Calhelha, R. C., Ferreira, Isabel C. F. R., Almeida, B. G., Pires, Ana, Pereira, André M., Araújo, João P., Castanheira, Elisabete M. S., Coutinho, Paulo J. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: combined cancer therapy; Engenharia e Tecnologia; gold nanoparticles; magnetoliposomes; manganese ferrite/gold nanoparticles; Nanotecnologia; new antitumor drugs; Produção e consumo sustentáveis; Proteger a vida terrestre; Saúde de qualidade; Science & Technology; thienopyridine derivatives
• ISSN: 1999-4923
• DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111905

Liposome-like nanoarchitectures containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles covered or decorated with gold were developed for application in dual cancer therapy, combining chemotherapy and photothermia. The magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, UV/Visible absorption, HR-TEM, and SQUID, exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The average size of the gold-decorated nanoparticles was 26.7 nm for MnFe2O4 with 5-7 nm gold nanospheres. The average size of the core/shell nanoparticles was 28.8 nm for the magnetic core and around 4 nm for the gold shell. Two new potential antitumor fluorescent drugs, tricyclic lactones derivatives of thienopyridine, were loaded in these nanosystems with very high encapsulation efficiencies (higher than 98%). Assays in human tumor cell lines demonstrate that the nanocarriers do not release the antitumor compounds in the absence of irradiation. Moreover, the nanosystems do not cause any effect on the growth of primary (non-tumor) cells (with or without irradiation). The drug-loaded systems containing the core/shell magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles efficiently inhibit the growth of tumor cells when irradiated with red light, making them suitable for a triggered release promoted by irradiation. This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UIDB/04650/2020) and through the research project PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020), financed by the European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), COMPETE2020, and Portugal2020. I.S.R.R. acknowledges FCT for a research grant under CF-UM-UP Strategic Funding (UID/FIS/04650/2019) and a PhD grant (2020.04431.BD). J.M.R. acknowledges FCT, ESF (European Social Fund—North Portugal Regional Operational Program) and HCOP (Human Capital Operational Program) for a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/115844/2016). The APC was also financed by FCT.