Chitosan-MXene-gold-curcumin: quaternary nanohybrid platform: A Chemo/Photothermal onco-strategy for improved cancer therapy

In this study, MXene nanosheets were functionalized with gold nanoparticles and coated with chitosan to serve as a nanocarrier for curcumin. The aim was to develop a versatile multifunctional nanoplatform for effective cancer chemo/photothermal therapy. The biocompatible MXene (Ch@Au-MXNSs@Cur) exhibited unique properties for curcumin delivery, including high drug-loading capacity and the ability to convert light into heat through surface plasmon resonance. Various techniques were employed to characterize the physicochemical properties of Ch@Au-MXNSs@Cur. The photothermal response of Ch@Au-MXNSs@Cur demonstrated a temperature increase exceeding 30 °C. In vitro studies against MCF-7 cancer cells revealed significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy of the combined chemo/photothermal approach compared to PTT or chemotherapy alone. In a tumor-bearing mouse model, the nanotherapeutic system Ch@Au-MXNSs@Cur combined with a laser exhibited a significant antitumor effect against Ehrlich carcinoma. Moreover, the encapsulated polyphenolic curcumin played a crucial role in modulating p53 and VEGF levels, while also demonstrating strong free radical scavenging activity. Nanotoxicity assessment, based on liver and kidney function, yielded satisfactory results, confirming the safety of the nanoparticles. This promising outcome is attributed to the integration of gold nanoparticles and MXene, which not only enhanced the photothermal conversion efficiency but also facilitated curcumin delivery, synergistically supporting a combined Chemo/PTT therapeutic strategy.