Simultaneous chemotherapy/sonodynamic therapy of the melanoma cancer cells using a gold-paclitaxel nanostructure

Nanodrug delivery systems are novel strategies for tumor treatment since delivery of chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel (PTX) is associated with substantial challenges due to its poor aqueous solubility. In addition, sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising approach that can increase the uptake, accumulation, and dispersion of desirable amounts of the drugs by activating sonosensitizer and enhancing cell membrane permeability. Herein, gold-paclitaxel nanoparticles (Au-PTX NPs) were synthesized and characterized to evaluate the cytotoxicity toward C540 cancer cells in comparison of free PTX, AuNPs, and AuNPs+free PTX in the absence and presence of ultrasound radiation. Evidence shows that AuNPs have a median diameter size of 95.0 ± 15.4, while the size of Au-PTX NPs is roughly 219.7 ±  40.4 nm. Negative zeta-potential results indicate high stability and good dispersion of nanoparticles. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay results revealed that Au-PTX NPs increased the cytotoxicity compared to other treatment groups that ensure the great potential of AuNPs as a promising nano-carrier for PTX drug delivery. Moreover, the viability of C540 cells treated by Au-PTX NPs under ultrasound radiation was decreased significantly by generating more reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon STD, with representing synergism effects confirming the role of gold nanoparticles as an excellent sonosensitizer and the role of SDT as an adjunctive treatment method with chemotherapy.

Photo-genosensor for Trichomonas vaginalis based on gold nanoparticles-genomic DNA

Trichomoniasis, an infectious disease caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis), enhances the risk of HIV infection, cervical and prostate cancer, and infertility. Therefore, efforts have to be made for accurate, specific, and rapid diagnosise and treatment of trichomoniasis. Today, optical nanosensors have created an opportunity for diagnosis without sophisticated and expensive tools and the need for expertise; at the same time, they are highly sensitive and fast. An optical nano-genosensor was designed by conjugation of gold nanoparticles and a specific oligonucleotide (AuNPs-probe) from repeated DNA target for specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of T. vaginalis gene sequence (L23861.1). The hybridization of AuNPs-probe was investigated with different concentrations of complementary sequence in synthesized target, gene sequence of standard T. vaginalis genomic DNA extraction, and PCR products of genomic DNA samples extracted from patients. Negative samples including synthesized non-complementary sequence, genomics DNA of other pathogens, and genomics DNA of healthy persons were considered for proof of the accuracy of the sensor function. The occurrence of correct hybridization was detected by adding acid to the medium and observing the changes in the color of the medium and spectroscopic spectrum. Based on spectrophotometric results, the fabricated genosensor had detection limits of 35.16 and 31 pg μL^-1 for the detection of synthetic target and genomic DNA sequences, respectively. The results confirmed the correct function of genosensor for the detection of T. vaginalis in clinical samples. Advantages such as low cost, visual detection, speed, and easy diagnosis encourage the use of this sensor in pathogen detection in the future.

Curcumin-gold-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles as a nanosensitizer for photothermal and sonodynamic therapies: In vitro and animal model studies

Photothermal and ultrasound therapies are novel non-invasive strategies for tumor treatment which are equipped with a photosensitizer and sonosensitizer subsequent activation by laser irradiation and ultrasound exposure. In this study, curcumin-gold-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (Cur-Au NPs-PEG) were synthesized, and the dual role in photothermal (PTT) and sonodynamic (SDT) therapies of melanoma cancer was evaluated. The toxicity effect of Cur-Au NPs-PEG against a mouse malignant melanoma cell line C540 (B16/F10) was firstly inspected in vitro. Cur-Au NPs-PEG provided a hyperthermal microenvironment and generated reactive oxygen species upon PTT and STD, respectively, with representing synergism effects. Studies in vivo in a tumor-bearing animal also demonstrate the superiority of PTT and SDT in destroying melanoma tumor.

Combined X-ray radiotherapy and laser photothermal therapy of melanoma cancer cells using dual-sensitization of platinum nanoparticles

Metal nanostructures are promising agents sensitizing by laser light and X-ray in photothermal therapy (PTT) and radiotherapy (RT) of cancer that improve treatment strategies of cancer. Nanoscale platinum materials are favorable in nanomedicine applications. In this study, platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were synthesized and applied for cancer therapy upon 808-nm laser light and X-ray radiation, or their combination. Two power densities of laser (1.0 and 1.5 W cm^-2) and three X-ray doses (2, 4 and 6 Gy) were selected for irradiation of B16/F10 cell line at 24 and 72 h-post treatment. The synthesized PtNPs had a spherical shape with a diameter of 12.2 ± 0.7 nm, and were cytocompatible up to 250 μg mL^-1. A photothermal conversion activity in a concentration-dependent manner at 72 h-post treatment was observed. Also, PtNPs represented cytotoxicity upon X-ray radiation doses of 2, 4, and 6 Gy after 24 h, while, 72-h time passing led to deeper outcomes. Dual radiation of laser light and X-ray into PtNPs considerably improved the treatment via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. PtNPs can act as a novel dual absorber of laser light and X-ray, a common sensitizer, for treatment of cancer. The results of this study can be considered after further clinical investigations for treatment of tumor models.

Enhanced melanoma cell-killing by combined phototherapy/radiotherapy using a mesoporous platinum nanostructure

BACKGROUND

Metal nanomaterials have a significant potential as photosensitizer and radiosensitizer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a platinum mesoporous nanostructure (Pt MN) toward a melanoma cancer cell line upon combined laser radiation (808 nm, 1 and 1.5 W cm^-2) and X-ray irradiation (6 MV, 2, 4, and 6 Gy).

METHODS

Pt MN was synthesized by a simple procedure and characterized by field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A mouse malignant melanoma cell line C540 (B16/F10) was treated with Pt MN, laser light and/or X-ray.

RESULTS

Pt MN had a mesoporous structure with a sponge-resemble shape comprised of ensembles of very small adhered particles of <11 nm and about 5-nm pores. While Pt MN represented a low toxicity toward and considerable uptake into the cell line in a concentration range of 10-100 μg mL^-1, laser light radiation alone was also not toxic, and X-ray irradiation alone induced a limited toxicity, Pt MN was toxic against the cells in a dose dependent manner upon laser light radiation, X-ray irradiation, or their combined exposure. The killing efficacy of Pt MN upon X-ray irradiation was more obvious at 72 h post-treatment. The combined exposure (laser radiation followed by X-ray irradiation) led to a deep cell killing and a very low melanoma cell viability (∼1%). Significant melanoma cancer cell killing of Pt MN was due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production upon combined exposure of laser and X-ray, while cell killing upon laser light radiation was due to heat generation.

CONCLUSION

Pt MN was introduced as a supreme laser/X-ray sensitizer for treatment of cancer with a high ability to produce ROS and a potent impact on decreasing cell viability.

Investigation of anti-leishmanial efficacy of miltefosine and ketoconazole loaded on nanoniosomes

Leishmaniasis is a group of parasitic disease caused by protozoa of Leishmania genus. Leishmania major accounts for the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The current treatments of this disease are expensive with high toxicity and are associated to difficulties of healing and parasite resistance. Miltefosine and ketoconazole have been found to be effective against CL. In this study, miltefosine- and ketoconazole-loaded nanoniosomes were prepared by the thin film-hydration method, and their anti-leishmanial effects against Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes were evaluated. The particle size and zeta potential of the nanoniosomes were determined. Release from the formulations showed enhanced and controlled dissolution of the drugs. The miltefosine- and ketoconazole-loaded nanoniosomes inhibited the growth of promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania major in vitro after 48 h of incubation and had IC₅₀ values of 53.39 ± 0.02 and 86.38 ± 0.07 μg mL^-1, respectively. The formulations provided improved anti-leishmanial activities for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

An electrochemical genosensor for Leishmania major detection based on dual effect of immobilization and electrocatalysis of cobalt-zinc ferrite quantum dots

Identification of Leishmania parasites is important in diagnosis and clinical studies of leishmaniasis. Although epidemiological and clinical methods are available, they are not sufficient for identification of causative agents of leishmaniasis. In the present study, quantum dots of magnetic cobalt-zinc ferrite (Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The quantum dots were then employed as an electrode modifier to immobilize a 24-mer specific single stranded DNA probe, and fabrication of a label-free, PCR-free and signal-on electrochemical genosensor for the detection of Leishmania major. Hybridization of the complementary single stranded DNA sequence with the probe under the selected conditions was explored using methylene blue as a redox marker, utilizing the electrocatalytic effect of the quantum dots on the methylene blue electroreduction process. The genosensor could detect a synthetic single stranded DNA target in a range of 1.0×10(-11) to 1.0×10(-18)molL(-1) with a limit of detection of 2.0×10(-19)molL(-1), and genomic DNA in a range of 7.31×10(-14) to 7.31×10(-6)ngμL(-1) with a limit of detection of 1.80×10(-14)ngμL(-1) with a high selectivity and sensitivity.