Dual Action Iron Oxide and Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for Antimicrobial Applications and Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Drugs

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In medicine, traditional cancer treatment often involves non-specific intravenous chemotherapy, which can harm healthy tissues and organs due to systemic toxicity. Additionally, microbial infections and toxic substances in water pose significant health risks. To address these challenges, nanotechnology has facilitated the creation of mesoporous nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy, as well as magnetic nanoadsorbents and nanoantimicrobials for water purification. This research focuses on the design, synthesis, and surface modification of magnetic iron oxide nanoaggregates and mesoporous silica nanoparticles. It includes the adsorption and loading of various ions, targeting agents (such as folic acid and estrogen), anti-tumor drugs (like doxorubicin and tetracycline), and radiotracers (DOTA-68Ga/177Lu for theranostics). The functionalized mesoporous silica nanocarriers were tested on hormone-sensitive and triple-negative breast cancer cell lines to assess their specific uptake and effectiveness. Results showed a remarkable radiochemical yield and stability in serum, with significant time-dependent uptake in triple-negative breast cancer cells after radiolabeling with 177Lu. The combination of targeted 177Lu delivery and doxorubicin resulted in notable cell death in the tested cancer cell lines, demonstrating a dual therapeutic effect.