Evaluation of a New Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle as a Drug Delivery System to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Background/Aim: Due to its abilities of substance adsorption and intracellular transportation, hydroxyapatite is a potential carrier in drug delivery systems (DDS). This in vitro study investigated whether newly-developed, highly dispersive calcined hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with an average grain diameter of 20 nm (nano-SHAP) were suitable as a DDS for the drugs zoledronic acid (ZA), cisplatin, and carboplatin. Material and Methods: The effects of drug bearing nano-SHAP on cell proliferation were assessed using three human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (HSC-4, KOSC, and SAS) and one human breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Results: Nano-SHAP alone did not affect proliferation of any cell line until a concentration of 1 ktglml was reached. Although the effective concentration of ZA in ZA-bearing nanoSHAP differed, it inhibited cell proliferation better than ZA alone. Cisplatin and carboplatin-bearing nano-SHAP had the same effect as these drugs alone. Conclusion: The nano-SHAP system is of potential use as a drug delivery system.