Stability-Enhanced Cisplatin Gold Nanoparticles As Therapeutic Anticancer Agents

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising drug delivery vehicles.
• Surface modification is crucial for enhancing nanoparticle stability and drug complexation.
• Cisplatin (Pt) is a widely used chemotherapy drug with limitations in delivery and toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop stability-enhanced, carboxylate surface-modified gold nanoparticles (Au-NCD).
• To synthesize and characterize platinum-loaded Au-NCD (Au-NCD/Pt) as potential anticancer agents.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties, stability, and in vitro cytotoxicity of Au-NCD/Pt.

Main Methods:

• Dendron chemistry for nanoparticle synthesis and surface modification.
• Dynamic light scattering, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for characterization.
• Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for Pt analysis.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO K1) and human lung epithelial (A549) cells.

Main Results:

• Au-NCDs exhibited enhanced colloidal stability across a wide pH range (1-13) and shelf-life stability up to 6 months.
• Au-NCD/Pt demonstrated efficient cisplatin uptake and minimal Pt release.
• Au-NCD/Pt showed significant in vitro anticancer activity against A549 cells with low toxicity to CHO K1 cells.

Conclusions:

• The developed Au-NCD/Pt nanoparticles offer a stable and effective platform for cisplatin delivery.
• These nanoparticles present a promising strategy for improving cancer therapy with enhanced efficacy and potentially reduced side effects.
• Further in vivo studies are warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of Au-NCD/Pt.