Antiproliferative activity of zinc and metal alloy nanoparticles in transplanted sarcomas

The effects of zinc and metal alloy (Cu, Zn, and Fe) nanoparticles on transplantation capacity of tumors (mouse sarcoma 37, rat sarcoma 45 and Pliss lymphosarcoma) and the levels of exogenous Zn in tumor and non-tumor tissues of mice were studied. Preincubation (30 min, 37°C) of sarcoma 37 cells with zinc nanoparticles and sarcoma 45 with alloy nanoparticles before transplantation completely prevented the tumor development in animals. Preincubation of Pliss lymphosarcoma cells with nanoparticles led to tumor growth inhibition and prolongation of the animal lifespan. The effect of metal nanoparticles was presumably explained by their local destructive effect on tumor cells. Zinc nanoparticles injected into the tumor concentrated in it after 4 days and were not detected in the adjacent normal tissue. Selective accumulation of metal nanoparticles in tumor tissue and their antiproliferative effect suggested their use as antitumor drugs.