Hierarchically designed hybrid nanoparticles for combinational photochemotherapy against a pancreatic cancer cell line

Abstract

Here, we report the formulation of hybrid nanoparticles consisting of aggregated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) impregnated into a gemcitabine-polymer conjugate matrix that exhibit synergistic photo-chemotherapeutic activity against pancreatic cancer. Well-defined, sub-100 nm hybrid NPs were successfully formulated and their photothermal conversion efficiency was evaluated, which was found to be as high as 63% in the red-visible spectrum. By varying the GNP and GEM-polymer feed, it was possible to control the red-shifting of the surface plasmon resonance at therapeutically relevant wavelengths. The hybrid NPs exhibited significant cytotoxicity against MiaPaCa-2 cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 0.0012 mg mL À1; however the IC 50 decreased by a factor of 2 after the cells were irradiated with a continuous wave red laser for 1 min (1.4 W cm À2). Although the irradiation of the aggregated GNPs loaded in the hybrid NPs produced a higher thermal effect for the same amount of non-loaded GNPs, the IC 50 of the hybrid NPs was significantly lower than that of the free GNPs, hence indicating a synergistic effect of the polymer bound GEM and the GNPs.

Recent developments in the use of gold and silver nanoparticles in biomedicine

“…Our group reported on a similar approach with a polymer-drug conjugate as a macro-aggregator owing to the intrinsic affinity of the gemcitabine drug molecule to Au surfaces. The resulting hierarchical ensembles had very high drug loading rate (>50%) and could elicit synergistic photothermal and drug-induced cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells (Joubert & Pasparakis, 2018). These approaches are highly versatile given the synthetic accessibility of Au NPs combined with further surface functionalization strategies via Au S bond formation or followed by simple aggregation protocols.…”

Tailor‐Made Nanomaterials for Diagnosis and Therapy of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

“…The GEM‐Au hybrid NPs had a photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 63% and exhibited significant cytotoxicity against Miapaca‐2 cells with a red laser (640 nm). [ 231 ] Jiang et al. synthesized Au NRs coated with RBC membranes, which exhibited excellent photothermal efficiency and induced dramatic shrinkage of Capan‐2 PDAC xenografts after irradiation with an 808 nm laser.…”

Graphene Oxide Immobilized PLGA‐polydopamine Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Growth Inhibition of Colon Cancer Cells

“…[6] Recently, certain anticancer drugs (typically, doxorubicin and hydroxycamptothecin) have been incorporated in PLGA scaffolds for inhibition of cancer cells. [7] As complementary cues to conventional therapeutics, nanoparticles have great potential in cancer applications, including cancer diagnosis, [8] photochemotherapy, [9] chemotherapy, [10] and photodynamic therapy. [11] Selected nanoparticles can even directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells without additional drugs.…”

“…As complementary cues to conventional therapeutics, nanoparticles have great potential in cancer applications, including cancer diagnosis, photochemotherapy, chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapy . Selected nanoparticles can even directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells without additional drugs .…”