pH-sensitive phthalocyanine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles as a novel treatment strategy for breast cancer

Novel pH-sensitive polymeric photosensitizer carriers from the phthalocyanine (Pc) group were investigated as potential photodynamic therapy drugs for the treatment of breast cancer. Their high antiproliferative activity was confirmed by photocytotoxicity studies, which indicated their high efficacy...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Malarz, Katarzyna, Borzȩcka, Wioleta, Ziola, Patryk, Domiński, Adrian, Rawicka, Patrycja, Bialik-Wąs, Katarzyna, Kurcok, Piotr, Mrozek-Wilczkiewicz, Anna, Torres Cebada, Tomás
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repositorio:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/718097
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10486/718097
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108127
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Apoptosis
oxidative stress
photodynamic therapy
phthalocyanine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles
reactive oxygen species
Química
Descripción
Sumario:Novel pH-sensitive polymeric photosensitizer carriers from the phthalocyanine (Pc) group were investigated as potential photodynamic therapy drugs for the treatment of breast cancer. Their high antiproliferative activity was confirmed by photocytotoxicity studies, which indicated their high efficacy and specificity toward the SK-BR-3 cell line. Importantly, the Pcs encapsulated in the polymeric nanoparticle (NP) carrier exhibited a much better penetration into the acidic environment of tumor cells than their free form. The investigated Pc4-NPs and TT1-NPs exhibited a high selectivity to healthy fibroblasts as well as non-toxicity without irradiation. This paper describes the detailed mechanism of action of the evaluated compounds by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen; imaging cellular localization; and analyzing key signaling pathway proteins. An additional advantage of the evaluated compounds is their ability to inhibit the Akt protein expression, including its phosphorylation, which the Western blot test confirmed. This is particularly important because breast cancers often overexpress the HER-2 receptor-related signaling proteins. Moreover, an analysis of proteins such as GLUT-1, HO-1, phospho-p42/44, and BID revealed the significant involvement of ROS in disrupting cellular homeostasis, thereby leading to the induction of oxidative stress and resulting in apoptotic cell death