Study of cancer cell cytotoxicity, internalization and modulation of growth factors induced by transferrin-conjugated formulations of metallodrug-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Nano-sized materials have shown to very high potential in anticancer therapy by an adequate tuning of their functionalization and physico-chemical properties. This study is focused on the synthesis characterization mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) functionalized with a titanium(IV) or organotin(IV) compound (therapeutic agents), fluorescein isothiocyanate (image agent) transferrin (targeting molecule). The analysis biological activity metallodrug-functionalized systems without has been evaluated cell internalization respect presence protein assessed. results show, as expected, that Sn-based are more active than Ti-based some tin-functionalized being almost 50 times carboplatin. In contrast, cellular uptake seems be higher materials, which take advantage stronger interaction internalize cells effectivity. Finally, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), human fibroblast 2 (FGF-2) nuclear ?? transcription (NF-??) show that, specially MSNs, were able modulate these factors A2780 showing anti-angiogenic effects through VEGF-A FGF-2, probably due transferrin.