Nanosized Platform Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy in Oncology

Hybrid nanosystems based on iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and human serum albumin (HSA) were synthesized. The size and composition of HSA@IONP nanosystems were characterized using UV/visible spectrophotometry (particularly, using the Bradford protein assay), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron magnetic resonance. The dark and photoinduced cytotoxicity of these systems were studied using methylene blue (MB) as a model photosensitizer (PS). The analysis of the survival of cultured tumor cells of the human breast adenocarcinoma line MCF-7 showed an increase in photoinduced cytotoxicity upon excitation of the PS accumulated by cells due to delivery via the nanosystems, compared to the free PS in equivalent concentrations. HSA@IONPs are discussed as a promising platform for the targeted delivery of a PS to tumor cells.