Evaluation of murine triple negative breast cancer cell viability exposed to magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) represent a tool for localized therapeutics on specific sites of the body by the influence of an external magnetic field. They may act as drug carriers as well as contrast agents for resonance magnetic images and agents for hyperthermia treatment in different oncological pathologies. In this work, we developed MNPs coated with different agents in order to induce biocompatible platforms for future loading of chemotherapies. Their effects on cell viability of murine triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) were studied to provide novel information for possible future clinical applications.MATERIALS AND METHODS: MNPs were synthesized by co-precipitation method from iron precursors and different coating agents: citric acid, glutamic acid, adenine, oleic acid, beta-cyclodextrin, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Physicochemical characterization was performed employing FTIR spectroscopy, analysis of hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential, transmission electronic microscopy and iron content. Cell viability of murine 4T1TNBC cells exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of MNPs (0-500 μg/mL) was evaluated by crystal violet staining assays. The experiments were repeated twice and performed in triplicate.RESULTS. Spectroscopic studies demonstrated the successful coating of the different MNPs with the coating agents employed. Physicochemical properties of MNPs were proper for biomedical applications in terms of hydrodynamic diameters (between 200 and 350 nm) and stability in physiological media pH near 7 (PDI<0.5). No differences were found on TNBC cell viability between nano-formulations or control cells at any of the concentrations tested. CONCLUSION. The MNPs studied with different biocompatible coating agents did not alter viability of murine TNBC cells by themselves. In this way, these MNPs may be used as platform for loading of different drugs intended to improve breast cancer current therapies.