title: Magnetic nanoparticles sensitize MCF-7 breast cancer cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resistance of breast cancer cells to the available chemotherapeutics is a major obstacle to successful treatment. Recent studies have shown that magnetic nanoparticles might have significant application in different medical fields including cancer treatment. The goal of this study is to verify the ability of magnetic nanoparticles to sensitize cancer cells to the clinically available chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The role of iron oxide nanoparticles, static magnetic field, or a combination in the enhancement of the apoptotic potential of doxorubicin against the resistant breast cancer cells, MCF-7 was evaluated using the MTT assay and the propidium iodide method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the present study, results revealed that pre-incubation of MCF-7 cells with iron oxide nanoparticles before the addition of doxorubicin did not enhance doxorubicin-induced growth inhibition. Pre-incubation of MCF-7 cells with iron oxide nanoparticles followed by a static magnetic field exposure significantly (P < 0.05) increased doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. Sensitization with pre-exposure to the magnetic field was dose-dependent where the highest cytotoxicity was seen at 1 tesla. Further experiments revealed that the anti-proliferative effect of this treatment procedure is due to induction of apoptotic cell death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results might point to the importance of combining magnetic nanoparticles with a static magnetic field in treatment of doxorubicin-refractory breast cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics laboratory, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. kjarrah@just.edu.jo
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aljarrah
authors.forename: Nizar M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Mhaidat
authors.forename: M-Ali H
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Akhras
authors.forename: Ahmad N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Aldaher
authors.forename: Ba
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albiss
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aledealat
authors.forename: Fawzi M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Alsheyab
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D004317:Doxorubicin