Anticancer properties of novel zinc oxide quantum dot nanoparticles against breast cancer stem-like cells

Quantum Dot Research in Breast Cancer: Challenges and Prospects

The multifaceted role of quantum dots (QDs) in breast cancer research highlights significant advancements in diagnostics, targeted therapy, and drug delivery systems. This comprehensive review addresses the development of precise imaging techniques for early cancer detection and the use of QDs in enhancing the specificity of therapeutic delivery, particularly in challenging cases like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The paper also discusses the critical understanding of QDs' interactions with cancer cells, offering insights into their potential for inducing cytotoxic effects and facilitating gene therapy. Limitations such as biocompatibility, toxicity concerns, and the transition from laboratory to clinical practice are critically analyzed. Future directions emphasize safer, non-toxic QD development, improved targeting mechanisms, and the integration of QDs into personalized medicine, aiming to overcome the current challenges and enhance breast cancer management.

Gaillardin inhibits autophagy and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by regulating JAK/STAT pathway

BACKGROUND

Gaillardin is a potent anti-cancer sesquiterpene lactone found in Inula oculus-christi.

AIM

The present study examined the effects of gaillardin on apoptosis and autophagy in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

METHODS

The MTT assay was used to unravel the antiproliferative effects of gaillardin on MCF-7 cells. The expression of apoptosis-related genes including CASP3, BAX, BCL2, STAT3, and JAK2, and key markers of autophagy such as ATG1, ATG4, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, BECN1, and MAP1LC3A were measured by real time-PCR method. The protein expression of Caspase 3, phosphorylated JAK2, phosphorylated STAT3, ATG1, ATG4, ATG5, ATG12, Beclin1, and LC-III was determined using western blotting.

RESULTS

Gaillardin treatment significantly decreased the proliferation of MCF-7 cells with a parallel upregulation of the level of pro-apoptotic caspase-3 enzyme with no effect on Bax and Bcl2 expression. The levels of phosphorylated and active forms of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins were reduced following the treatment of MCF-7 cells with gaillardin. This sesquiterpene lactone com-pound considerably downregulated the levels of six autophagy markers, including ATG1, ATG4, ATG5, ATG12, Beclin1, and LC-III in MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSION

These data indicated the apoptosis-inducing activity of gaillardin in MCF-7 cells by a mechanism that inhibits the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Further, autophagy inhibition was the other phenomenon caused by gaillardin in MCF-7 cells. These results can provide evidence to highlight the role of gaillardin as a novel therapeutic for the treatment of breast cancer.

Quantum Dot-based Bio-conjugates as an Emerging Bioimaging Tool for Cancer Theranostic- A Review

Cancer is the most widely studied disorder in humans, but proper treatment has not yet been developed for it. Conventional therapies, like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, have been employed. Such therapies target not only cancerous cells but also harm normal cells. Conventional therapy does not result in specific targeting and hence leads to severe side effects. The main objective of this study is to explore the QDs. QDs are used as nanocarriers for diagnosis and treatment at the same time. They are based on the principle of theranostic approach. QDs can be conjugated with antibodies via various methods that result in targeted therapy. This results in their dual function as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Nanotechnology involving such nanocarriers can increase the specificity and reduce the side effects, leaving the normal cells unaffected. This review pays attention to different methods for synthesising QDs. QDs can be obtained using either organic method and synthetic methods. It was found that QDs synthesised naturally are more feasible than the synthetic process. Top or bottom-up approaches have also emerged for the synthesis of QDs. QDs can be conjugated with an antibody via non-covalent and covalent binding. Covalent binding is much more feasible than any other method. Zero-length coupling plays an important role as EDC (1-Ethyl-3-Ethyl dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide is a strong crosslinker and is widely used for conjugating molecules. Antibodies work as surface ligands that lead to antigen- antibody interaction, resulting in site-specific targeting and leaving behind the normal cells unaffected. Cellular uptake of the molecule is done by either passive targeting or active targeting. QDs are tiny nanocrystals that are inorganic in nature and vary in size and range. Based on different sizes, they emit light of specific wavelengths. They have their own luminescent and optical properties that lead to the monitoring, imaging, and transport of the therapeutic moiety to a variety of targets in the body. The surface of the QDs is modified to boost their functioning. They act as a tool for diagnosis, imaging, and delivery of therapeutic moieties. For improved therapeutic effects, nanotechnology leads the cellular uptake of nanoparticles via passive targeting or active targeting. It is a crucial platform that not only leads to imaging and diagnosis but also helps to deliver therapeutic moieties to specific sites. Therefore, this review concludes that there are numerous drawbacks to the current cancer treatment options, which ultimately result in treatment failure. Therefore, nanotechnology that involves such a nanocarrier will serve as a tool for overcoming all limitations of the traditional therapeutic approach. This approach helps in reducing the dose of anticancer agents for effective treatment and hence improving the therapeutic index. QDs can not only diagnose a disease but also deliver drugs to the cancerous site.

Solanum Procumbens-Derived Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Suppress Lung Cancer In Vitro through Elevation of ROS

Lung cancer is one of the cancers with high mortality rate. The current therapeutic regimens have only limited success rate. The current work highlights the potential of Solanum procumbens-derived zinc oxide nanoparticle (SP-ZnONP)-induced apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells. Synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and photoluminescence analysis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cytotoxicity, and cell viability assays revealed that the SP-ZnONP caused the cell death and the inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) was calculated to be 61.28 μg/mL. Treatment with SP-ZnONPs caused morphological alterations in cells, such as rounding, which may have been caused by the substance's impact on integrins. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining revealed that the cells undergo apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates the cell death. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined and it was shown that the nanoparticles elevated ROS levels, which led to lipid peroxidation. In short, the SP-ZnONPs increase the level of ROS, which in turn causes lipid peroxidation results in apoptosis. On the other hand, the SP-ZnONPs decrease nitric oxide level in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which also supports the apoptosis. In conclusion, SP-ZnONPs would become a promising treatment option for lung cancer.