Functionalized SPION immobilized on graphene-oxide: Anticancer and antiviral study

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Advanced materials are crucial for controlling diseases like cancer and coronavirus.
• Graphene oxide (GO) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) offer unique properties for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize GO decorated with SPION, PEG-SPION, and CS-SPION (GO/SPION, GO/SPION@PEG, GO/SPION@CS).
• To evaluate the potential of these nanocomposites in cancer treatment and viral inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Nanocomposite synthesis and characterization using FESEM, XRD, and FTIR.
• Magnetic properties assessed via vibrating sample magnetometry.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays and magnetic field-induced cancer cell ablation.
• Surrogate virus neutralization tests for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition.

Main Results:

• GO/SPION, GO/SPION@PEG, and GO/SPION@CS exhibited specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 305, 283, and 199 W/g, respectively.
• GO/SPION@PEG achieved over 50% cancer cell death at 300 ppm.
• GO/SPION@CS demonstrated 86% inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 binding.

Conclusions:

• GO/SPION and GO/SPION@PEG show promise for hyperthermia-based cancer therapy due to high SAR and ILP values.
• GO/SPION@CS exhibits significant potential for developing antiviral agents against coronaviruses.
• These nanocomposites offer a dual therapeutic approach for cancer and viral infections.