A Hybrid Nanosystem for Prostate Cancer Therapy: Codelivery of Enzalutamide and Curcumin via Selenium-Embedded
Zahra Tavakoli1, Khosro Khajeh2, Bijan Ranjbar1,3
1Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer globally, causing ≈396,792 deaths in 2022. Early diagnosis and advanced drug delivery are vital to prevent its progression. This research leverages the anticancer properties of selenium nanoparticles and enzalutamide, a leading prostate cancer drug, by coencapsulating them within mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs). MSNPs offer advantages for drug delivery, including high surface accessibility and a tunable porous structure. The results indicated that MSNPs synthesized via solvent extraction, yielding a specific surface area of 1017.4 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.2531 cm3/g, and an average pore size of ≈10 nm, were superior to those obtained by calcination, which yielded a smaller pore size (≈3 nm). Enzalutamide was loaded into these selenium-embedded MSNPs, achieving a drug loading efficiency of 76.3 ± 0.5%. Separately, curcumin was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles with high efficiency (83.2 ± 0.7%). The combined nanosystem enables pH-responsive, gradual drug release that mimics the tumor microenvironment. MTT assays confirmed the drug-loaded system exerts significantly stronger, time- and concentration-dependent anticancer effects than the free drug. Furthermore, curcumin plays a vital role in enhancing anticancer efficacy and inducing apoptosis. This research demonstrates that the designed dual-nanoparticle system is a promising candidate for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
Insights
This study developed a dual-nanoparticle system combining selenium nanoparticles and enzalutamide within mesoporous silica nanoparticles for advanced prostate cancer therapy. The system demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy and targeted drug delivery, offering a promising new treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading global cause of cancer deaths, necessitating improved therapeutic strategies.
- Effective drug delivery systems are crucial for enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects.
- Selenium nanoparticles and enzalutamide possess known anticancer properties relevant to prostate cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To co-encapsulate selenium nanoparticles and enzalutamide within mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties and drug loading/release characteristics of the designed nanosystem.
- To assess the in vitro anticancer efficacy and apoptotic effects of the dual-drug delivery system.
Main Methods:
- MSNPs were synthesized using solvent extraction, characterized for surface area, pore volume, and pore size.
- Enzalutamide was loaded into selenium-embedded MSNPs, and curcumin was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles.
- Drug loading efficiency, pH-responsive drug release, and in vitro cytotoxicity (MTT assay) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Solvent-extracted MSNPs exhibited superior properties (surface area: 1017.4 m²/g, pore volume: 0.2531 cm³/g, pore size: ≈10 nm) compared to calcined MSNPs (pore size: ≈3 nm).
- The enzalutamide-loaded MSNPs achieved a drug loading efficiency of 76.3 ± 0.5%, and chitosan nanoparticles showed high curcumin encapsulation efficiency (83.2 ± 0.7%).
- The combined nanosystem demonstrated pH-responsive, gradual drug release and significantly enhanced time- and concentration-dependent anticancer effects, inducing apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- The designed dual-nanoparticle system, co-delivering selenium and enzalutamide, shows significant potential for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
- Curcumin plays a crucial role in augmenting the anticancer efficacy and apoptosis-inducing capabilities of the nanosystem.
- This advanced drug delivery approach offers a promising strategy for overcoming limitations of current prostate cancer treatments.
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