Antitumor Activity of Alloy and Core-Shell-Type Bimetallic AgAu Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), including gold and silver, are recognized for their potential in cancer treatment, complementing surgery and chemotherapy.
• Bimetallic silver-gold (AgAu) NPs offer enhanced efficacy through synergistic effects.
• The biological activity of NPs is influenced by physicochemical properties, yet the specific impact of composition and topological distribution within NPs requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antitumor activity of bimetallic AgAu NPs with varying compositions and topological arrangements.
• To determine the influence of metal molar ratios and core-shell structures on NP efficacy against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of colloidal AgAu NPs in alloy and core-shell configurations.
• Testing of AgAu NPs with different Ag:Au molar ratios (1:1, 1:3, 3:1) and topological distributions (Au_coreAg_shell, Ag_coreAu_shell).
• In vivo assessment of NP efficacy in inhibiting LLC tumor growth and metastasis in mice.

Main Results:

• The in vivo antitumor activity of AgAu NPs is significantly dependent on the ordered topological distribution of silver and gold.
• NPs featuring a silver core with a gold shell (Ag_coreAu_shell) exhibited the highest efficacy in inhibiting LLC tumor growth.
• Ag_coreAu_shell NPs were also most effective in suppressing tumor metastasis.

Conclusions:

• The topological arrangement of metals within bimetallic NPs critically influences their anticancer properties.
• Ag_coreAu_shell NPs represent a promising prototype for developing novel anticancer agents.
• Further research into the interaction of metal components and their distribution in NPs is warranted for optimizing therapeutic strategies.