Antitumor activity of photo-stimulated zinc oxide nanoparticles combined with paclitaxel or cisplatin in HNSCC cell lines.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) exhibit photocatalytic properties and are used in sunscreen cosmetics and for the degradation of environmental pollutants. Furthermore, ZnO-NPs have proven to induce tumor-selective cell death in human squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in vitro. The aim of the current study was to evaluate cytotoxic effects of UVA-1-activated ZnO-NPs in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin in HNSCC. Three HNSCC cell lines (HLaC-78, Cal-27 and PJ-41) were incubated with ZnO-NPs at concentrations of 0.02 and 0.2 μg/ml in combination with paclitaxel (0.5-5 nM) or cisplatin (0.03-3 μM) for 24 h. Afterwards, cells were irradiated with UVA-1 for 15 min. Viability was measured by MTT assay, fluorescein-diacetate (FDA) test and annexin/propidiumiodide flow cytometry. A significant decrease in viable cells could be observed in all three HNSCC cell lines treated by photocatalytic therapy with 0.2 μg/cm(2) ZnO-NPs alone. A combination with paclitaxel or cisplatin at low concentrations resulted in a further increase in cytotoxicity in vitro revealing a synergistic effect. Flow cytometry revealed a combination of apoptosis and necrosis. These results indicate that photocatalytic therapy of HNSCC with ZnO-NPs could enhance the cytotoxic action of chemotherapeutic agents synergistically, indicating a promising potential for ZnO-NPs in antitumor applications.
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Germany.
Stephan
S
Hackenberg
Agmal
A
Scherzed
Wilma
W
Harnisch
Katrin
K
Froelich
Christian
C
Ginzkey
Christian
C
Koehler
Rudolf
R
Hagen
Norbert
N
Kleinsasser
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D002384:Catalysis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000633:toxicity*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000633:toxicity*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D015034:Zinc Oxide