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Heparin-Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Theranostic Applications.
Nicolò Massironi1, Miriam Colombo2, Cesare Cosentino3
1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 27, 2022
Summary
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with heparin and albumin show potential as theranostic agents. These engineered nanoparticles effectively inhibit heparanase and enhance chemotherapy drug delivery for breast cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials Science
- Theranostics
Background:
- Development of targeted theranostic nanosystems integrating inorganic cores with biological functionalities.
- Need for advanced drug delivery systems with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and diagnostic capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer heparin-based superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) systems (LMWH@SPIONs) for theranostic applications.
- To evaluate the potential of LMWH@SPIONs loaded with chemotherapeutics for cancer treatment.
- To assess the diagnostic capabilities of the developed nanosystem.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SPIONs via co-precipitation, followed by oleic acid capping.
- Surface modification using dopamine-conjugated low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA).
- Characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Evaluation of cytotoxicity, heparanase enzyme inhibition, and chemotherapeutic (paclitaxel) efficacy in breast cancer cells.
- Assessment of diagnostic potential using time-domain NMR (TD-NMR).
Main Results:
- LMWH@SPIONs exhibited low cytotoxicity at tested concentrations.
- Effective inhibition of heparanase enzyme activity was observed.
- Paclitaxel-loaded LMWH@SPIONs demonstrated enhanced antitumor effects on breast cancer cells.
- TD-NMR revealed relaxivity values comparable to commercial contrast agents.
Conclusions:
- Engineered LMWH@SPIONs represent a promising theranostic platform.
- The nanosystem effectively combines diagnostic imaging potential with targeted drug delivery and enzyme inhibition.
- This approach holds potential for improved cancer therapy and diagnostics.
