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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Synthesis, Functionalization, and Characterization of Fusogenic Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Oligonucleotide Delivery
Published on: April 16, 2019
Dual Synthetic Pathways for Organotin-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Targeted Therapeutic Platforms
Victoria García-Almodóvar1, Sanjiv Prashar1,2, Santiago Gómez-Ruiz1,2
1COMET-NANO Group, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, E.S.C.E.T., Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, E-28933 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with a high mortality rate. Moreover, the treatments currently used to address this disease are sometimes ineffective and cause numerous side effects. For this reason, the search for new treatments that can overcome these challenges is a growing field of research. One potential solution under investigation is the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). These materials possess excellent properties, making them attractive as starting platforms for various compounds. In this study, different compounds with distinct properties were anchored onto these nanoplatforms. The first is polyethyleneimine (PEI), which, when formulated within the nanoparticle, increases its bioavailability. The second is folic acid (FA), a molecule that enables active targeting of tumor cells. Finally, an organotin(IV) complex was incorporated via two different anchoring strategies to provide therapeutic action. This multifunctional platform thus combines three activities simultaneously. MTT assay studies revealed that the final material, MSN-TEDTH-PEI-FA-TR-Sn, demonstrates potential against the MCF-7 tumor cell line while showing no toxicity to the healthy Hek 293T cell line. These findings make it an interesting candidate for future in vivo trials.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) platform, combining polyethyleneimine (PEI), folic acid (FA), and an organotin(IV) complex. This MSN-TEDTH-PEI-FA-TR-Sn formulation shows promise against breast cancer cells with no toxicity to healthy cells.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women globally, with current treatments facing limitations in efficacy and side effects.
- Developing novel therapeutic strategies is crucial to improve patient outcomes and overcome treatment resistance.
- Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) offer a versatile platform for drug delivery due to their tunable properties and high surface area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) platform for targeted breast cancer therapy.
- To combine enhanced drug bioavailability, tumor cell targeting, and therapeutic action within a single nanocarrier.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the developed MSN-based therapeutic agent against breast cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized and functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with polyethyleneimine (PEI) for bioavailability enhancement.
- Incorporated folic acid (FA) for active targeting of folate receptor-expressing tumor cells.
- Anchored an organotin(IV) complex using two strategies to impart therapeutic efficacy, creating MSN-TEDTH-PEI-FA-TR-Sn.
- Assessed the cytotoxicity of the developed nanoplatform against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and Hek 293T healthy cells using MTT assays.
Main Results:
- The synthesized MSN-TEDTH-PEI-FA-TR-Sn formulation demonstrated significant potential against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.
- MTT assays confirmed that the nanoplatform exhibited no observable toxicity towards the healthy Hek 293T cell line.
- The multifunctional platform successfully integrated bioavailability enhancement, targeted delivery, and therapeutic action.
Conclusions:
- The developed MSN-based multifunctional platform, MSN-TEDTH-PEI-FA-TR-Sn, represents a promising strategy for targeted breast cancer treatment.
- The combination of PEI, FA, and an organotin(IV) complex on MSNs offers a synergistic approach with potential for improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Further investigation in preclinical in vivo models is warranted to validate the efficacy and safety of this innovative nanotherapeutic agent.
