Combined treatment using bismuth sulfide nanoparticles loaded with NANOG decoy oligodeoxynucleotides under X-ray radiation for breast cancer cells

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya

Study goal: develop bismuth sulfide nanoparticles functionalized with chitosan and loaded with NANOG decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (Bi@Chi-DEC NPs) for targeted therapy in triple-negative breast cancer. Characterization used FT-IR, UV–vis, FESEM, EDX, TEM, DLS, release kinetics, and hemolysis assays; particles averaged 213.8 nm with zeta potential of -3.27 mV. In MDA-MB-231 assays, Bi@Chi-DEC NPs plus 2 Gy X-ray reduced viability, tumorsphere formation, and migration, while increasing apoptosis and inducing G2/M arrest. Potential warrants further in vivo validation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Background

NANOG in breast cancer and rationale for targeting

Limitations of decoy ODNs and radiosensitizers

Materials and Methods

Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization

Cellular assays under X-ray irradiation

Results and Interpretation

Effects on viability, migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle

Therapeutic potential and need for in vivo studies

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN Combined treatment using bismuth sulfide nanoparticles loaded with NANOG decoy oligodeoxynucleotides under X-ray radiation for breast cancer cells Sara Heidari1,7, Mahmoud Gharbavi2􀀍, RoghayehGhorbani3,4, Hamed Rezaeejam5 & Behrooz Johari6,7􀀍 Our goal in this study was to develop bismuth sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) that were functionalized with chitosan and incorporated with decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) specifically targeting the NANOG transcription factor (designated as Bi@Chi-DEC NPs) in triple-negative breast cancer cells. FT-IR, UV–vis, FESEM, EDX, TEM, DLS, release kinetics, and hemolysis assays were done to validate the successful synthesis of Bi@Chi-DEC NPs. The synthesized spherical particles exhibited a size distribution averaging 213.8 nm, with a zeta potential measured at-3.27 mV. The anticancer properties of the synthesized nanoparticles, along with X-ray irradiation (2Gy), were assessed through a series of cellular assays, including MTT, cellular uptake, apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, scratch, and tumorsphere formation assays on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Treatment with the synthesized nanoparticles and X-irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability, tumorsphere formation, and cellular migration, while concurrently enhancing the rate of apoptotic cells and inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. It can be inferred that Bi@Chi-DEC NPs possess the potential to serve as a therapeutic modality for cancer treatment, particularly when utilized along with radiation therapy. Further, in vivo studies are warranted to substantiate the efficacy of this therapeutic approach. Keywords Breast cancer, Bismuth nanoparticle, Combinational therapy, Decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), NANOG transcription factor, Radiotherapy Breast cancer persists as one of the most widespread and formidable malignancies globally, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic modalities to enhance patient prognoses. Recent studies have indicated mutation incidence and overexpression of the NANOG transcription factor in breast cancer. NANOG, in addition to being a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker, can promote CSC-like characteristics in various cancers, and its binding to the promoter region of cyclin D1 can regulate cell cycle and proliferation1–3. Recent progressions in the realms of nanotechnology and gene therapy have unveiled novel pathways foroncological treatment, particularly in augmenting the efficacy of radiotherapeutic interventions4. Two promising strategies that have emerged are the application of bismuth (Bi2S3) nanoparticles as radiosensitizing agents and the utilization of decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) aimed at stemness-associated gene regulation5–7. The application of the decoy ODNs strategy in the clinic is accompanied by challenges such as low cellular uptake of oligos (if used naked) and degradation by cellular nucleases. In recent studies, various nanocarriers 1Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. 2Nanotechnology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 3Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. 4Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. 5Department of Radiology Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. 6Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. 7Sara Heidari and Behrooz Johari contributed equally to this work. 􀀍 email: [gharbavi-m@ajums.ac.ir](gharbavi-m@ajums.ac.ir); [gharbavi1981@gmail.com](gharbavi1981@gmail.com); [dr.johari@zums.ac.ir](dr.johari@zum

FAQs

What is the main therapeutic strategy in this study?

Bi@Chi-DEC nanoparticles combine bismuth sulfide nanocarriers with chitosan and NANOG-targeted decoy oligodeoxynucleotides, used together with X-ray radiation.

How were the synthesized nanoparticles characterized?

FT-IR, UV–vis, FESEM, EDX, TEM, DLS, release kinetics, and hemolysis assays were performed to confirm successful synthesis and assess particle properties and safety indicators.

What cellular effects were observed after nanoparticle treatment with X-ray irradiation?

Treatment with Bi@Chi-DEC NPs plus X-irradiation significantly decreased cell viability, tumorsphere formation, and migration, while increasing apoptotic cells and causing G2/M cell cycle arrest.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya