Khaled Aljarrah

Efficient drug delivery to target tissue is a major challenge in many cancer treatment modalities. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been identified as an ideal drug carrier due to their unique properties. In Photodynamic therapy (PDT), one of the key challenges in utilizing photosensitizers (PS) lies in effectively delivering the PS to the targeted tissue. Using Silica nanoparticles encapsulation will effectively prevent the leakage of entrapped PS from the particles, protects against reduction by the retinal endothelial system, and reduces PS toxicity. In this study, Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were used as carriers for Safranin (SF) as a photosensitizer agent to treat MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro. The SiNPs nanoparticles were synthesized, and their size and shape were measured using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity was evaluated for different concentrations of encapsulated and naked SF. The optimal concentrations and exposure times required to eliminate the MCF-7 under light (Intensity ~110 mW/cm², red laser) were determined. The results indicated that encapsulated SF by SiNPs exhibited higher efficacy than naked SF with a +50% concentration efficacy and +78% exposure time efficacy. This confirmed the superior ability of encapsulated SF to eliminate MCF-7 cells compared to naked SF. The use of synthesized silica nanoparticles loaded with SF improved photodynamic therapy by increasing the bioavailability of SF in the target cells. Our results demonstrate that SiNP encapsulation significantly improves the efficacy of SF in eliminating MCF-7 cells compared to bare SF. This study underscores the potential of SiNPs as a drug delivery system for photodynamic therapy and could pave the way for developing more effective cancer treatments.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that utilizes both light and photosensitizers (PSs) to attack cancer cells. Methylene blue (MB) has emerged as a highly promising photosensitizer (PS) in PDT therapy due to its exceptional ability to produce singlet oxygen, which is attributed to its high quantum yield. However, the main challenge in utilizing MB in photodynamic therapy is its effective delivery to the target tissue. This challenge can be addressed by utilizing silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as a drug delivery agent. Silica nanoparticles encapsulate MB and prevent its leakage, offering a novel approach to improving PDT therapy by reducing the toxicity of MB and increasing its bioavailability at the target cell. In this study, an extensive analysis of the size and shape evolution of the synthesized silica nanoparticles loaded with MB was conducted using TEM. Various encapsulated and bare MB concentrations were tested for cytotoxicity against osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, the optimal concentration and exposure time under light (with an intensity of approximately 8.9 mW/cm² in the visible range) were determined to achieve maximum cell elimination. The results revealed that encapsulated MB in SiNPs exhibited a higher efficacy compared to naked MB, with a 50% increase in concentration effectiveness and a 90% increase in exposure time efficacy. This confirms that encapsulated MB in SiNPs is more effective in killing osteosarcoma cells than bare MB, thereby enhancing photodynamic therapy through increased bioavailability of MB in target cells. The enhanced bioavailability of MB in target cells as a result of its encapsulation in SiNPs makes it a highly promising drug delivery candidate for significantly enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy against osteosarcomas.

Resistance of breast cancer cells to the available chemotherapeutics is a major obstacle to successful treatment. Recent studies have shown that magnetic nanoparticles might have significant application in different medical fields including cancer treatment. The goal of this study is to verify the ability of magnetic nanoparticles to sensitize cancer cells to the clinically available chemotherapy.