title: Anti-proliferative Activities of Metallic Nanoparticles in an in Vitro Breast Cancer Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate effect of metallic nanoparticles, silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as antitumor treatment in vitro against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and their associated mechanisms. This could provide new class of engineered nanoparticles with desired physicochemical properties and may present newer approaches for therapeutic modalities to breast cancer in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was used as a model of cells. Metallic nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxic effects of metallic nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells were followed by colorimetric SRB cell viability assays, microscopy, and cellular uptake. Nature of cell death was further investigated by DNA analysis and flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of MCF-7 with different concentrations of 5-10nm diameter of AgNPs inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 value of 6.28μM, whereas treatment of MCF-7 with different concentrations of 13-15nm diameter of AuNPs inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 value of 14.48μM. Treatment of cells with a IC50 concentration of AgNPs generated progressive accumulation of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and prevented entry into the M phase. The treatment of cells with IC50 concentrations of AuNPs similarly generated progressive accumulation of cells in sub-G1 and S phase, and inhibited the entrance of cells into the M phase of the cell cycle. DNA fragmentation, as demonstrated by electrophoresis, indicated induction of apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our engineered silver nanoparticles effectively inhibit the proliferation of human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 in vitro at high concentration (1000 μM) through apoptotic mechanisms, and may be a beneficial agent against human carcinoma but further detailed study is still needed.
authors: Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt E-mail : samaly183@yahoo.com.
authors: Samah A
authors: SA
authors: Loutfy
authors: Nadia A
authors: NA
authors: Al-Ansary
authors: Nour T
authors: NT
authors: Abdel-Ghani
authors: Ahmed R
authors: AR
authors: Hamed
authors: Mona B
authors: MB
authors: Mohamed
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Craik
authors: Taher A Salah
authors: TA
authors: Eldin
authors: Ahmed M
authors: AM
authors: Abdellah
authors: Yassmein
authors: Y
authors: Hussein
authors: M T M
authors: MT
authors: Hasanin
authors: Serag Eldin I
authors: SE
authors: Elbehairi
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D012834:Silver; D006046:Gold