The effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with epirubicin on drug-resistant cancer cells

Objective (s): In chemotherapy for cancer treatment, the cell resistance to multiple anticancer drugs is the major clinical problem. In the present study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were used as a carrier for epirubicin (EPI) in order to improve the cytotoxic efficacy of this drug against the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpressing cell line. Materials and Methods: MSNs with phosphonate groups were synthesized and characterized. The cytotoxicity of the prepared nanoparticles on drug-sensitive human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and drug-resistant cancer cells (MCF-7/ADR) was evaluated. Results: The hydrodynamic size of nanoparticles was 98 nm and surface charge was negative. The viability of sensitive MCF-7 and resistant MCF-7/ADR cells after incubation with MSNs containing EPI at concentration of 5 μg/ml was about 75% and 44%. On the other hand, the viability of sensitive and resistant cells after incubation with free EPI at this concentration was about 48% and 60%, respectively. Conclusion: These nanoparticles exhibited suitable drug efficiencies against drug-resistant MCF-7/ADR cells in vitro experiments.