Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
08:04
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
13.1K
Hydroxyapatite nanocomposite as a potential agent in osteosarcoma PDT
Souad A Elfeky1, Ahmed Elsayed1, Mahmoud Moawad2
1National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
|October 17, 2020
Summary
Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles loaded with methylene blue (HA-NPs-MB) enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy against osteosarcoma cells. This nanoformulation reduces the required MB dose and induces apoptosis, offering a promising approach for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy is often limited by photosensitizer bioavailability.
- Nanoparticles offer a platform to improve drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes.
- Methylene blue (MB) is a photosensitizer with potential for PDT, but its application can be enhanced.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the photodynamic cytotoxicity of methylene blue loaded on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA-NPs-MB) against human osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2).
- To characterize the HA-NPs-MB nanocomposite and compare its efficacy with free MB.
- To explore the cell death mechanisms induced by HA-NPs-MB and its effect on macrophages.
Main Methods:
- Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA-NPs) loaded with MB (HA-NPs-MB) were synthesized via chemical precipitation.
- Characterization included Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Zeta potential, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD).
- Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay, and cell death pathways were investigated, along with effects on macrophage viability.
Main Results:
- TEM confirmed HA-NPs' rod shape (14-17 nm diameter, 46-64 nm length). FTIR and Zeta potential verified MB adsorption onto HA-NPs.
- HA-NPs-MB demonstrated significantly higher photodynamic cytotoxicity against Saos-2 cells compared to free MB, with lower LC50 values.
- Apoptosis was the primary mode of cell death, with elevated levels of caspase-3 and DR-4 observed. HA-NPs-MB also showed potent cytotoxic effects on macrophages.
Conclusions:
- The HA-NPs-MB nanocomposite effectively enhances PDT efficacy against osteosarcoma cells by increasing cytotoxicity and inducing apoptosis.
- This nanoformulation reduces the required MB dose, improving therapeutic potential.
- The study highlights the biosafety of HA-NPs and presents HA-NPs-MB as a promising agent for osteosarcoma PDT, with potential benefits in reducing tumor-promoting macrophages.
