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Magneto-Plasmonic Nanoparticle Grid Biosensor with Enhanced Raman Scattering and Electrochemical Transduction for the
Hoda Ilkhani1,2, Chuan-Jian Zhong3, Maria Hepel1
1Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Potsdam, Potsdam, NY 13676, USA.
Abstract:
Safe administration of highly cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs is a challenging problem in cancer treatment due to the adverse side effects and collateral damage to non-tumorigenic cells. To mitigate these problems, promising new approaches, based on the paradigm of controlled targeted drug delivery (TDD), and utilizing drug nanocarriers with biorecognition ability to selectively target neoplastic cells, are being considered in cancer therapy. Herein, we report on the design and testing of a nanoparticle-grid based biosensing platform to aid in the development of new targeted drug nanocarriers. The proposed sensor grid consists of superparamagnetic gold-coated core-shell Fe2Ni@Au nanoparticles, further functionalized with folic acid targeting ligand, model thiolated chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX), and a biocompatibility agent, 3,6-dioxa-octanethiol (DOOT). The employed dual transduction method based on electrochemical and enhanced Raman scattering detection has enabled efficient monitoring of the drug loading onto the nanocarriers, attaching to the sensor surface, as well as the drug release under simulated intracellular conditions. The grid's nanoparticles serve here as the model nanocarriers for new TDD systems under design and optimization. The superparamagnetic properties of the Fe2Ni@Au NPs aid in nanoparticles' handling and constructing a dense sensor grid with high plasmonic enhancement of the Raman signals due to the minimal interparticle distance.
Insights
This study introduces a novel biosensing platform using functionalized nanoparticles to monitor targeted drug delivery systems. This innovation aims to improve cancer treatment by enabling precise tracking of chemotherapeutic drug loading and release.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy faces challenges due to side effects and damage to healthy cells.
- Targeted drug delivery (TDD) using nanocarriers offers a promising strategy to improve cancer treatment efficacy and safety.
- Developing effective nanocarriers requires precise methods for monitoring drug loading and release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and test a nanoparticle-grid based biosensing platform for evaluating new targeted drug nanocarriers.
- To create a sensor capable of monitoring drug loading, attachment, and release from nanocarriers.
- To utilize the platform for optimizing nanocarrier-based TDD systems in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a sensor grid using superparamagnetic gold-coated core-shell Fe2Ni@Au nanoparticles.
- Functionalization of nanoparticles with folic acid (targeting ligand), doxorubicin (drug), and DOOT (biocompatibility agent).
- Dual transduction detection using electrochemical and enhanced Raman scattering (ERS) methods.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated efficient monitoring of doxorubicin loading and attachment to the functionalized nanoparticles.
- Successfully tracked drug release under simulated intracellular conditions.
- Utilized superparamagnetic properties for nanoparticle handling and dense grid formation, enhancing ERS signals.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanoparticle-grid biosensing platform is effective for monitoring drug loading and release in TDD systems.
- The platform aids in the design and optimization of novel nanocarrier-based cancer therapies.
- This approach facilitates the development of safer and more effective chemotherapy strategies.
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