Heparin-Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles via Amide Chemistry for Selective Targeting of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Pathogenic Fungi

Background: Heparin, a polydisperse glycosaminoglycan, is well-known for its anticoagulant activity and clinical use in preventing venous thromboembolism. In addition to coagulation, heparin and its derivatives have shown therapeutic potential in cancer and infectious, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to develop and evaluate heparin-capped AgNPs (hep-AgNPs) as multifunctional nanotherapeutics with selective cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. Methods: . Results: ). In addition, they exhibit strong biocompatibility with keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Conclusion: Heparin-capped silver nanoparticles combine the biological functionality of heparin with the antimicrobial and selective cytotoxic properties of the silver nanoparticles. Their selective cytotoxicity, antimicrobial efficacy, and favourable cellular interaction profiles highlight their potential as multifunctional nanoplatforms for applications such as chronic wound management in neutral to alkaline wound environments, and dose-controlled, targeted therapeutic strategies relevant to aggressive cancer models, including TNBC.