Iranian researchers develop hydrogel for breast cancer treatment
Researchers at Iran’s Arak University have developed a light-sensitive hydrogel that combines chemotherapy with photodynamic therapy and killed more than 80% of breast cancer cells in laboratory tests, while causing no significant damage to healthy cells.
The drug-delivery system uses natural chitosan hydrogel as a biological base for two therapeutic agents: the anti-cancer drug methotrexate (MTX) and the light-sensitive compound perylene diimide (PDI), ISNA reported on Saturday.
Researcher Farnaz Azadikhah said the system was designed to improve the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment while reducing the side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy.
Methotrexate works by inhibiting an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis, limiting the growth and reproduction of cancer cells. Its controlled release from the hydrogel is intended to maintain a therapeutic concentration around the tumor while reducing wider distribution through the body.
PDI acts as a photosensitizer. When exposed to laser light at a suitable wavelength, it generates reactive oxygen species, particularly singlet oxygen, which can damage vital cell structures including DNA, proteins and lipids and drive cancer cells towards programmed cell death.
Tests showed the system, using a low dose of methotrexate combined with laser irradiation, killed more than 80% of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, while MCF-10A healthy cells showed no significant damage. “The combination of chemotherapy with photodynamic therapy in a single platform increases treatment efficiency,” Azadikhah said, adding that the two approaches target cancer cells through different mechanisms and could potentially work against some chemotherapy-resistant cells.
The researchers said the system could also have potential for other cancers that respond to chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Its controlled drug release and the localized effect of the light treatment could cut down on damage to healthy tissue and reduce side effects such as nausea, vomiting, mouth sores and toxicity affecting the liver and kidneys.
However, the researchers stressed that the findings remain at the laboratory stage and that further preclinical and clinical studies are needed before the treatment can be used in patients.