Magnetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

Targeted drug delivery using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has emerged as a promising approach for cancer therapy. This study investigates the efficacy of MNPs for targeted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) in a mouse model of breast cancer. MNPs were synthesized by co-precipitation and functionalized with DOX. The MNP-DOX conjugates were characterized using TEM, XRD, and FTIR. Female BALB/c mice (n=24) were inoculated with 4T1 breast cancer cells. The mice were divided into four groups: control, DOX, MNP, and MNP-DOX. Every 3 days over a 2-week period, intravenous administration of treatments occurred. Monitoring of tumor volume and body weight took place. Histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and caspase-3 were performed on tumor tissues. MNP-DOX conjugates were successfully synthesized and characterized, showing effective drug loading and release. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited in the MNP-DOX group compared to the control, DOX, and MNP groups. The MNP-DOX group exhibited the smallest tumor volume (135 +/- 28 mm3) at the end of the treatment period. Histological analysis revealed increased necrosis and apoptosis in the MNP-DOX group. Immunohistochemical staining showed reduced Ki-67 expression and increased caspase-3 expression in the MNP-DOX group. MNPs functionalized with DOX demonstrated effective targeted drug delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of breast cancer. The MNP-DOX conjugates significantly inhibited tumor growth, increased necrosis and apoptosis, and modulated Ki-67 and caspase-3 expression. These findings support the potential of MNPs as a promising platform for targeted cancer therapy. Further studies are needed to optimize the MNP formulation and assess its safety and efficacy in clinical settings.