The In Vitro Cytotoxicity, Hemolysis Assay and Protein Corona Studies of Silk Fibroin-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Tioguanine Targeting to Leukemia

Leukemia remains among the most deadly of diseases and new therapeutic approaches are required with as much urgency as possible. Nanotechnology has been used to develop diagnostic and therapeutic methods for cancer. On-malignant normal cells damaging and drug resistance are responsible for the treatment of cancer. Since currently using tioguanine (TG) as antineoplastic agent has demonstrated several side effects, there are many approaches available to help reduce or avoid unintended drug effects. Loading of TG within mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to prepare TG@MSNs which possess specific physicochemical properties for transporting and loading anticancer drugs would be a useful technique to resolve the negative effects of this medication. On other hand, silk fibroin (SF) was used, as an active targeting agent and pH-sensitive targeting release, on the surface of TG@MSNs to prepare SF/TG@MSNs to increase the targeting delivery of TG. The cellular research on the MOLT-4 cell line showed improved resistance to cytotoxicity and an increase in intracellular uptake of targeted nanoparticles, and induction of cell apoptosis. We found no major toxicity for free TG. Protein corona and hem compatibility of SF/TG@MSNs were also studied to show a minimal level of hemolytic activity and make suitable protein targets. In conclusion, the SF/TG@MSNs displayed a high effectiveness in destroying cancer cells and increasing the possibility of targeted drug delivery