Development of NIR-responsive thin film for chemo-photothermal therapy in the treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer treatment presents significant medical challenges globally. Traditional treatments are available, but leave serious side effects. Therefore, advanced and innovative approaches are urgently required for effective therapeutic treatments. This research focuses on developing NIR-responsive thin films for enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy in treating oral cancer. The approach involves synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs), and Prussian blue-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (PB@IONPs), which are then incorporated into sodium alginate-based thin films. These films are designed to improve drug delivery and photothermal efficiency under NIR laser exposure. The drug used is 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which is known for killing rapidly dividing cancer cells. In vitro studies show controlled drug release without laser exposure and a burst release with NIR laser irradiation. Notably, PBNPs and PB@IONPs-loaded thin films exhibit superior photothermal efficiency and drug release kinetics compared to IONPs. The nanoparticles are found to be biocompatible, and the thin films demonstrate promising photothermal efficiency with sustained release without laser exposure and burst release, providing a promising platform for advanced breast cancer therapy. Keywords: Thin film, NIR-responsive nanoparticles, drug delivery, Photothermal therapy, breast cancer.