Tri-Modal Anticancer Therapy via Mo₂C-MXene-Based Hybrid Nanostructures: A Synergistic Strategy Against...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a therapeutic challenge due to its aggressive nature and lack of targeted receptors.
• Conventional treatments are often limited by resistance and side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel hybrid nanosystem for combined chemotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) against TNBC.
• To assess the efficacy of this multi-modal approach in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• A paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded Mo2C@C@Fuc/Mo2C-MXene@Fuc hybrid nanosystem was synthesized.
• The system's drug release kinetics (pH- and light-responsive) and its performance in inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation were characterized.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed on TNBC cell lines (4T1, MDA-MB-231) and normal fibroblasts (L929).
• In vivo studies evaluated tumor regression, necrosis, and apoptosis in a TNBC mouse model.

Main Results:

• The hybrid nanosystem demonstrated efficient paclitaxel loading and stimuli-responsive drug release.
• NIR irradiation triggered significant ROS generation, leading to substantial cancer cell death and minimal toxicity to normal cells.
• In vivo studies showed complete tumor regression with significant necrosis and apoptosis induction.
• Inhibition of angiogenesis was observed in HUVEC cells.

Conclusions:

• Mo2C-MXene-based hybrid nanostructures represent a biocompatible platform for synergistic multi-modal therapy (PDT/PTT/CT).
• This approach shows significant potential for effective TNBC treatment, overcoming conventional therapy limitations.