Teriflunomide Loaded SPION Nanoparticles Induced Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Introduction Teriflunomide (TFN), an immunomodulatory drug, has demonstrated cytotoxic effects in recent studies. This potential can be combined with nano-drug delivery to achieve an improved anticancer formulation. Methods In this study, super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were coated with polydopamine (PD-SPIONs) and used to deliver TFN to the breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology. The cytotoxicity of PD-SPIONs, free-TFN and TFN loaded PD-SPIONs was investigated on the cell lines. MDA-MB-231 cells were examined for TP53 and BAX gene expression, cellular apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis. Methods In this study, super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were coated with polydopamine (PD-SPIONs) and used to deliver TFN to the breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology. The cytotoxicity of PD-SPIONs, free-TFN and TFN loaded PD-SPIONs was investigated on the cell lines. MDA-MB-231 cells were examined for TP53 and BAX gene expression, cellular apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis. Results Nanoparticles with the size of 163 +/- 8 nm and zeta potential of - 38 +/- 4 mv were obtained. In comparison to cells treated with free-TFN, cells treated with TFN loaded PD-SPIONs showed significantly higher cytotoxicity. TFN loaded PD-SPIONs treated cells showed significant increase in TP53 (P < 0.001) and BAX (P < 0.01) gene expressions compared to free-TFN treated cells. MDA-MB-231 cells also showed an increased percentage of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the S and G2 phases. Conclusion The designed TFN loaded nanoparticles showed promising potentials that can be considered in future breast cancer therapy research.

Automated summary

In this study, polydopamine-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were used to deliver the immunomodulatory drug teriflunomide to breast cancer cells. The nanoparticles showed promising potential by increasing cytotoxicity and gene expression in the cells. The study suggests that the designed teriflunomide-loaded nanoparticles could be considered for future breast cancer therapy research.